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Written Question
Stalking: Sentencing
Tuesday 13th July 2021

Asked by: Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to introduce tougher sentencing for stalkers.

Answered by Lord Wolfson of Tredegar

Stalking is an insidious crime that can have a devastating impact on a victim’s wellbeing. This Government is committed to protecting and supporting victims and is determined to do everything we can to stop perpetrators at the earliest opportunity.

In 2012 the Government created two stalking offences to highlight stalking as a specific behaviour, and through the Policing and Crime Act 2017 the maximum penalties for certain stalking and harassment offences were raised from 5 to 10 years’ imprisonment. There are currently no plans to make further changes to the penalties available for stalking offences.

In January 2020 we introduced new civil Stalking Protection Orders to protect victims of stalking at the earliest possible opportunity and address the perpetrator’s behaviours before they become entrenched or escalate in severity. A breach of this order carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment.

Written Question
Prison Officers
Monday 10th November 2014

Asked by: Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will consult the Prison Officers' Association on the work-related well-being of prison staff.

Answered by Andrew Selous - Second Church Estates Commissioner

My officials do consult and will continue to consult the Prison Officers’ Association on the work-related well-being of prison staff within England and Wales. My Ministry launched an Employee Assistance Programme on 6th October 2014 that provides: 24 hour helpline including counselling; a health promotion and well being website; trauma support for staff within England and Wales prisons involved in serious incidents; business support for managers; mediation and other services. The POA and other recognised TUS were all aware of the proposals for this service and had opportunities in the Whitley consultative committees to discuss them with the lead officials. Please note that the answer provided is only for prisons within England and Wales.