Oral Answers to Questions Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate
Department: Ministry of Justice

Oral Answers to Questions

Lord Dodds of Duncairn Excerpts
Tuesday 6th September 2016

(8 years, 3 months ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Elizabeth Truss Portrait Elizabeth Truss
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

As a Prisons Minister, my hon. Friend did tremendous work in this area; we are very much learning from the work that he carried out in the Department. He makes an important point, and I think we need to look at the overall culture in some of our best prisons. We have exemplary work going on, such as mentoring, and we need to make sure that that is happening right across our prison estate.

Lord Dodds of Duncairn Portrait Mr Nigel Dodds (Belfast North) (DUP)
- Hansard - -

The Secretary of State may be aware that the head of the prison service in Northern Ireland recently stood down. Attacks on prison staff are on the rise. Will the Secretary of State ensure that her Department engages actively with the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland to see what lessons can be learned and to try to improve safety in prisons in Northern Ireland?

Elizabeth Truss Portrait Elizabeth Truss
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

I have been in touch with the Justice Minister in Northern Ireland, and I look forward to talking to her in due course.