The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice (Chris Grayling)
I would like to update the House about the fact that we have now moved into the next phase of the competition to award new regional rehabilitation contracts. Engagement continues with around 50 providers who make up the 30 bidders involved in our probation reforms and we have now formally invited them to submit bids.
Alongside this, an updated version of the target operating model for the reforms will be published shortly. The target operating model explains how the new system will work on the ground, and what the respective roles of the national probation service and community rehabilitation companies (CRCs) will be, including where CRCs will have the opportunity to innovate in how they rehabilitate and support offenders, including through mentoring.
I will also shortly publish a revised list of designated resettlement prisons following a review undertaken as a result of changes to the prison estate and discussions with criminal justice partners.
Copies of the revised targeted operating model and list of resettlement prisons will be shortly made available in the Libraries of both Houses. Copies of the draft contracts will be made available in the Libraries of both Houses later this month.