Contributions
510 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDSupport for Female OffendersThis Government’s plan to support women is clear and ambitious: to reduce the number of women going to prison and to have fewer women’s prisons. Our Women’s Justice Board, which…28 Jan 2025HANSARDPrison Officer RecruitmentAs I have said, the Lord Chancellor has requested advice on this matter. We promote our strong employee total reward package as part of our recruitment. The terms and conditions…28 Jan 2025HANSARDPrison Officer RecruitmentMay I take this opportunity to pay tribute to our prison staff for the essential work that they do? We are committed to improving the retention of experienced staff, because they…28 Jan 2025HANSARDSupport for Female OffendersThat is a devolved matter, though clearly we are happy to speak to the devolved Government about any issues.28 Jan 2025HANSARDYouth Justice SystemI am deeply saddened by this tragic crime, and my thoughts and, I am sure, those of everyone else go to the family of Leo Ross. Such horrific events underline just how important…28 Jan 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsIt is right that IPP sentences were abolished. Last week, I hosted a roundtable for MPs to discuss their concerns about IPP sentences and share the work the Department is doing.…28 Jan 2025HANSARDYouth Justice SystemThe number of children in custody has fallen significantly over the last decade, but those who are detained are now a more complex and violent cohort. Our turnaround programme…28 Jan 2025HANSARDPrison ConditionsThe right hon. Lady is right. We inherited contracts that were already well progressed; for best value and to move things forward quickly, we decided it was important to keep…28 Jan 2025HANSARDPrison ConditionsThe right hon. Lady is right to raise this issue. We inherited historic under-investment in maintenance and a rising prison population. That is why we have already published our…28 Jan 2025HANSARDPrison ConditionsI thank my hon. Friend for his question. He draws attention to a deeply disturbing case. I am very happy to meet him and the families concerned.28 Jan 2025HANSARDDrones: High-security PrisonsThat important action taken by the previous Government was, quite correctly, supported by Labour in opposition. When anybody is found guilty of flying a detected drone, the…14 Jan 2025HANSARDDrones: High-security PrisonsWho had 14 years to grip this situation? At least this Government are taking action— [ Interruption. ]14 Jan 2025HANSARDDrones: High-security PrisonsThis is not a new issue. Effective prison security is fundamental to the rehabilitative nature of prisons and ensuring public confidence in the criminal justice system. The…14 Jan 2025HANSARDDrones: High-security PrisonsThis Government are taking action in the first six months. The right hon. Member will know that drone sightings around prisons increased by over 770% between 2019 and 2023—on his…14 Jan 2025HANSARDDrones: High-security PrisonsMy hon. Friend is completely right that the prison maintenance programme that we inherited was in a state. That is why the Chancellor announced in the Budget a £500 million boost…14 Jan 2025HANSARDDrones: High-security PrisonsThe hon. Member is right about the failures missing in the shadow Minister’s question. He is also right to ask what the Government are doing to support prison officers and prison…14 Jan 2025HANSARDDrones: High-security PrisonsThe lesson is that we need to work with prison governors and the police and invest in actions to deal with the problem. That is exactly what we are doing. We are working with…14 Jan 2025HANSARDDrones: High-security PrisonsThe hon. Member is right that it is important that local police forces work strongly with HM Prison and Probation Service on this issue. That is what is happening. He will know…14 Jan 2025HANSARDDrones: High-security PrisonsAnything that works will be built upon—that is part of it. Drone technology has been accelerated through the Ukraine war. We know that we need to work very hard to keep ahead of…14 Jan 2025HANSARDDrones: High-security PrisonsIt is important that we take advantage of what intelligence is out there. If the hon. Lady writes to me, I will be happy to follow that up appropriately with her and the business…14 Jan 2025