Contributions
399 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDSentencing Review and Prison CapacityThe noble and learned Baroness is correct that drugs and alcohol is a massive problem for people in prison and leaving prison. With 49% of prisoners having drug misuse problems,…23 Oct 2024HANSARDSentencing Review and Prison CapacityI thank the noble Lord for the question. While the review will evaluate the sentencing framework and examine the experiences of all offenders, it will be guided by the evidence of…23 Oct 2024HANSARDSentencing Review and Prison CapacityI thank my noble friend for the question. As for what kind of prisons we need, I think we need a good mix of prisons of all shapes and sizes and in all locations. On IPP sentence…23 Oct 2024HANSARDSentencing Review and Prison CapacityMy Lords, with the leave of the House, I will repeat a Statement made in the House of Commons by the Lord Chancellor yesterday. The Statement is as follows: “With permission,…23 Oct 2024HANSARDSentencing Review and Prison CapacityI thank the noble and learned Lord and the noble Lord for their welcome of the review, their excellent questions and suggestions and enthusiasm for what we are trying to do. I…23 Oct 2024HANSARDSentencing Review and Prison CapacityI thank my noble friend. Like him, I am pleased that David Gauke has agreed to chair this review panel. I have worked closely with him—he was one of my trustees at the Prison…23 Oct 2024HANSARDSentencing Review and Prison CapacityThe noble Lord will be pleased to know that a victims’ representative will be appointed to the panel. That is important because the voices of victims need to be heard and we will…23 Oct 2024HANSARDSentencing Review and Prison CapacityWhen I first walked into the Ministry of Justice and was told that the prison population goes up by 80 people a week, I thought that was manageable. But when you times that by 52,…23 Oct 2024HANSARDPrisoners: Early Release SchemeAfter inheriting a prison system on the brink of collapse, we had no choice but to introduce emergency measures, releasing some prisoners a few weeks or months early. Unlike the…21 Oct 2024HANSARDPrisoners: Early Release SchemeI am afraid I would not want to put a date on when things are going to change, but I assure the noble Lord that the remand population of 17,000 is far too high. He is right that a…21 Oct 2024HANSARDPrisoners: Early Release SchemeI thank the noble Lord, Lord Farmer, for his question and for the incredible work he has done over many years in this area. One of the benefits of SDS40 is that it provides an…21 Oct 2024HANSARDPrisoners: Early Release SchemeI thank my noble friend for that question. He is completely right that continuation of care through NHS Reconnect is so important. In my office about two hours ago, we were having…21 Oct 2024HANSARDPrisoners: Early Release SchemeWhen 80% of offending is reoffending, something is clearly not working. I will give the noble Lord an example. When I was opening a probation delivery unit in Preston, there was a…21 Oct 2024HANSARDPrisoners: Early Release SchemeAccommodation is a big driver in cutting reoffending. Having been brought up in a home full of foster children, I am well aware of the problems of accommodation. It needs not just…21 Oct 2024HANSARDPrisoners: Early Release SchemeThe noble Lord is correct that probation is under a lot of pressure and our probation colleagues do an amazing job in these difficult situations. I have been fortunate to spend a…21 Oct 2024HANSARDPrisoners: Early Release SchemeI thank the noble Lord for the question. Some 49% of prisoners have drug misuse problems. It is clear that those who go into prison drug free sometimes come out addicted to drugs.…21 Oct 2024HANSARDPrisoners: Early Release SchemeWe do not yet have all the exact figures but, when they are verified, we will publish them in the normal way. However, the noble Lord is correct that we have inherited a system…21 Oct 2024HANSARDPrison CapacitiesMy Lords, I congratulate the noble Baroness, Lady Burt, on securing a debate on prison capacity and the safety and well-being of vulnerable prisoners. The women’s estate, which…12 Sept 2024HANSARDCriminal Justice Act 2003 (Requisite and Minimum Custodial Periods) Order 2024That the draft Order laid before the House on 17 July be approved.29 Jul 2024HANSARDCriminal Justice Act 2003 (Requisite and Minimum Custodial Periods) Order 2024I assume that if it is, I will not be able to have a sherry trifle, which is one of my favourite desserts. To conclude, this statutory instrument is vital for addressing the…29 Jul 2024