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Written Question
Criminal Proceedings: Royal Commissions
Monday 19th October 2020

Asked by: Lord Ramsbotham (Crossbench - Life peer)

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask Her Majesty's Government when they plan to announce (1) the chair, (2) the timeframe, and (3) the terms of reference, for the Royal Commission on the Criminal Justice Process announced in the Queen's Speech 2019.

Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)

The Royal Commission presents an opportunity to undertake a significant independent review to investigate some key issues in the criminal justice system alongside building greater resilience following the impact of this pandemic.

We are therefore carefully considering the precise remit and timing of this Commission and will update the House in due course.


Written Question
Prisons: Education
Monday 19th October 2020

Asked by: Lord Ramsbotham (Crossbench - Life peer)

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask Her Majesty's Government (1) how many adults in prison have been actively engaged in self-study, and (2) how many adults in prison have completed accredited qualifications and assessments, in the last six months; and what plans they have to provide self-study education to adults in prison in the immediate future.

Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)

Following the introduction of restrictions suspending the delivery of all face-to-face education in prisons due to Covid-19, we have worked with all Prison Education Framework (PEF) and Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) providers to support prisons via the remote production of various materials to provide in cell activity, distraction material and learning packs for as many prisoners as possible.

We have provisional data from the beginning of April 2020 which shows that the education providers have worked with HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) to distribute approximately 871,000 learning packs. Of these, 361,000 were course specific packs and 510,000 were generic learning packs.

During the time that restrictions have applied we have had to adapt existing recording procedures for education delivery to meet these new restrictions and we need to carry out further work with providers to assess levels of engagement and achievement.

HMPPS managers continue to maintain routine dialogue with PEF provider staff locally around the development and delivery of additional support materials to meet new and emerging needs during these restrictions.


Written Question
Independent Advisory Panel On Deaths in Custody
Wednesday 16th September 2020

Asked by: Lord Ramsbotham (Crossbench - Life peer)

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Lord Keen of Elie on 16 July (HL Deb, col 1746), what additional progress they have made towards implementing the recommendations of the Independent Advisory Panel on Deaths in Custody.

Answered by Lord Keen of Elie

The Department has continued to take steps to implement the recommendations made in this report, as well as others made by independent experts and scrutiny bodies, as part of its robust response to protect prisoners and prison staff from COVID-19.

Progress has been reflected in the development of Exceptional Delivery Models which cover areas such as social visits, education and time in the open air. This forms an integral part of the National Framework for Prison Regime and Services Recovery which is currently being implemented.

The recommendations made by the report note the importance of clear communication and ensuring that prisoners feel supported and listened to. The majority of establishments have now resumed social visits which are vital for maintaining family contact and prisoners’ wellbeing. As we move to Stage 2 of the National Framework, prison governors will have more autonomy to shape their regimes in a way that responds to local dynamics and continues to keep staff and prisoners safe from COVID-19.


Written Question
Prisons: Staff
Monday 20th July 2020

Asked by: Lord Ramsbotham (Crossbench - Life peer)

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to launch (1) a whistleblowing hotline for prison staff, and (2) a campaign for such staff to raise awareness of their rights.

Answered by Lord Keen of Elie

We recognise the importance of the physical, emotional and social wellbeing of employees is paramount; particularly during these difficult times. Whistleblowing procedures are already in place for staff who wish to raise any concerns, including a Reporting Wrongdoing Integrity Hotline. This allows HM Prison and Probation staff to raise any concerns they may have. Relevant guidance for employees and managers is available through the intranet and the ‘My Hub’ service. HMPPS is currently reviewing and updating its whistleblowing policy, which we aim to publish later this year, following consultation with the trade unions.

We are also taking action to address unacceptable behaviours within HMPPS. In the coming months and will be putting in place a dedicated Unit to support our objective of reducing discrimination, bullying and harassment. This will include a phone line to provide advice and guidance.

Staff have access to a range of easily accessible services should they have concerns about the workplace or their own well-being. We constantly monitor these services to ensure they meet the needs of staff with such concerns.


Written Question
Prisoners' Release
Thursday 1st August 2019

Asked by: Lord Ramsbotham (Crossbench - Life peer)

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what data prisons are required to collect on the purposes for which prisoners are Released on Temporary Licence.

Answered by Lord Keen of Elie

It is not possible, except at disproportionate cost, to establish the number of prisoners who have been released on ROTL to allow access to higher and further education in each of the last three years.

There are four categories of ROTL: Resettlement Day Release (RDR), Resettlement Overnight Release (ROR), Special Purpose Licence (SPL) and Childcare Resettlement Licence (CRL). Prisons are required to record the reasons for each release on temporary licence choosing from the following options. They are not required to specify the level of education:

(RDR) Education or Training

(RDR) Paid Work - Retail and Wholesale

(RDR) Paid Work – Manufacturing

(RDR) Paid Work - Catering and hospitality

(RDR) Paid Work - Transportation and storage

(RDR) Paid Work - Construction and recycling

(RDR) Paid Work - IT and communication

(RDR) Paid Work - Agriculture and horticulture

(RDR) Paid Work - Other

(RDR) Unpaid Work - Retail and Wholesale

(RDR) Unpaid Work – Manufacturing

(RDR) Unpaid Work - Catering and hospitality

(RDR) Unpaid Work - Transportation and storage

(RDR) Unpaid Work - Construction and recycling

(RDR) Unpaid Work - IT and communication

(RDR) Unpaid Work - Agriculture and horticulture

(RDR) Unpaid Work - Other

(RDR) Prisoner Apprenticeships Pathway

(RDR) Maintain Family Ties

(RDR) Outside Prison Activities

(RDR) Accommodation Related

(RDR) Other RDR Linked to Sentence/Resettlement Plan

(ROR) Resettlement Overnight Release

(SPL) Funeral

(SPL) Visit Dying Relative

(SPL) Medical/Dental Inpatient Appointment

(SPL) Medical/Dental Outpatient Appointment

(SPL) Other Compassionate Reason

(SPL) Court/Legal/Police/Prison Transfer

(CRL) Childcare Resettlement Licence


Written Question
Offenders: Death
Wednesday 31st July 2019

Asked by: Lord Ramsbotham (Crossbench - Life peer)

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they have made in conducting a national review of deaths under post-release probation supervision, as stated in their response to the 12th report of the Health and Social Care Select Committee Prison Health (HC Paper 963).

Answered by Lord Keen of Elie

In our response to the Health and Social Care Select Committee the Government committed to undertake a review of deaths under post release supervision during 2019-20. Scoping work has been undertaken, and the full review is on track to be completed within this time period. This is in addition to the existing requirement on all probation providers to conduct an internal review following each death, and to share learning from these reviews.

The number of deaths of offenders under post-release supervision decreased from 401 in 2016/17 to 367 in 2017/18, a fall of 8%. The National Suicide Prevention Strategy identifies people in contact with the criminal justice system as a high-risk group, and we recognise that the time following release from prison can be a particularly high-risk period for suicide and for deaths from other causes. The primary role of probation is to protect the public and prevent re-offending, and people under supervision in the community are not in the care of HM Prison and Probation Service in the way that they are when in custody. While probation staff do everything they can to help offenders find access to vital services including healthcare, housing, and treatment for drug and alcohol problems, they do not have sole responsibility for caring for them. The national review aims to identify what further actions may be appropriate to prevent offenders’ deaths, while recognising that a range of other organisations share responsibility for their wellbeing.

We are also investing an extra £22m in ‘through-the-gate’ assistance for offenders, to help them find the support they need on issues such as housing, healthcare and employment, and they have the same access to these services as any other person in the community.


Written Question
Prisoners' Release: Education
Wednesday 24th July 2019

Asked by: Lord Ramsbotham (Crossbench - Life peer)

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many prisoners have been Released on Temporary Licence to enable them to access higher and further education in the community in each of the last three academic years.

Answered by Lord Keen of Elie

It is not possible, except at disproportionate cost, to establish the number of prisoners who have been released on ROTL to allow access to higher and further education in each of the last three years.

There are four categories of ROTL: Resettlement Day Release (RDR), Resettlement Overnight Release (ROR), Special Purpose Licence (SPL) and Childcare Resettlement Licence (CRL). Prisons are required to record the reasons for each release on temporary licence choosing from the following options. They are not required to specify the level of education:

(RDR) Education or Training

(RDR) Paid Work - Retail and Wholesale

(RDR) Paid Work – Manufacturing

(RDR) Paid Work - Catering and hospitality

(RDR) Paid Work - Transportation and storage

(RDR) Paid Work - Construction and recycling

(RDR) Paid Work - IT and communication

(RDR) Paid Work - Agriculture and horticulture

(RDR) Paid Work - Other

(RDR) Unpaid Work - Retail and Wholesale

(RDR) Unpaid Work – Manufacturing

(RDR) Unpaid Work - Catering and hospitality

(RDR) Unpaid Work - Transportation and storage

(RDR) Unpaid Work - Construction and recycling

(RDR) Unpaid Work - IT and communication

(RDR) Unpaid Work - Agriculture and horticulture

(RDR) Unpaid Work - Other

(RDR) Prisoner Apprenticeships Pathway

(RDR) Maintain Family Ties

(RDR) Outside Prison Activities

(RDR) Accommodation Related

(RDR) Other RDR Linked to Sentence/Resettlement Plan

(ROR) Resettlement Overnight Release

(SPL) Funeral

(SPL) Visit Dying Relative

(SPL) Medical/Dental Inpatient Appointment

(SPL) Medical/Dental Outpatient Appointment

(SPL) Other Compassionate Reason

(SPL) Court/Legal/Police/Prison Transfer

(CRL) Childcare Resettlement Licence


Written Question
Woodhill Prison: Prison Officers
Tuesday 18th June 2019

Asked by: Lord Ramsbotham (Crossbench - Life peer)

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to conduct an independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the appearance before an employment tribunal of Prison Officer Ben Plaistow of HMP Woodhill.

Answered by Lord Keen of Elie

We strongly condemn homophobia, or any other kind of discrimination, in our prisons. As a result of the issues raised in and by the Tribunal a formal internal investigation is underway. This is being undertaken by a senior manager outside the prisons line management chain. Once that has concluded the interim Director General of HM Prisons will consider what action, including potentially disciplinary action, may be appropriate.


Written Question
Young Offenders: Speech and Language Disorders
Tuesday 5th June 2018

Asked by: Lord Ramsbotham (Crossbench - Life peer)

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Youth Justice Board about the recommendations in the report by I CAN and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, Bercow: Ten Years On, published on 20 March.

Answered by Lord Keen of Elie

To date, we have not discussed the ‘Bercow: Ten Years On’ report, with the Youth Justice Board. We acknowledge the findings of the report and we are clear that all young people should be able to effectively engage with the justice system, regardless of their particular needs.

Over the past three years MoJ and the YJB have supported a national project, led by the Department for Education, to deliver special educational needs and disability (SEND) awareness training to the youth justice workforce. The Youth Justice SEND Bubble programme offered free training to Youth Justice System professionals, supporting them to effectively identify and meet children’s special educational and disability needs and allowing them to work towards more effective engagement and positive long-term outcomes.


Written Question
Offenders: Mental Health Services
Friday 20th October 2017

Asked by: Lord Ramsbotham (Crossbench - Life peer)

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment the Secretary of State for Justice has made of the current provision of mental health assessments and treatment in the prison and probation systems.

Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

We take mental health provision very seriously and are committed to working closely with health partners to ensure that offenders are assessed at the appropriate time and are able to access the treatment and support required for their mental health needs.

Health services in English prisons are commissioned by NHS England. In the community, NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups are responsible for commissioning health services, including mental health services, for the general population in their locality, including offenders on probation. NHS England are responsible for making assessments of the current provision of mental health assessments and treatment in the prison systems in England. We are committed to working closely with them to support this responsibility.

Mental Health is devolved to the Welsh Government and NHS Wales. Local Health Boards are commissioned to deliver these services in public sector prisons in Wales, which includes mental health assessments and treatment. There are separate arrangements for the private prison HMP Parc.