Oral Answers to Questions

Lord Mackinlay of Richborough Excerpts

Tuesday 5th December 2017 Commons Chamber

[Dr Lee]

The matter is not specifically in my brief, because HMP Nottingham is not a young offender institution.

[Craig Mackinlay (South Thanet) (Con)]

8. What steps he is taking to empower prison governors.

[The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice (Mr David Lidington)]

In April this year, governors were given authority to devise the daily routine in prisons—the way in which they organise staff—and to have a greater say in the health services received by prisoners. In October, governors gained control of the new family services budget, and next year we will devolve the prison education, careers advice and libraries budget to governors in England.

[Craig Mackinlay]

That is enormously helpful. Does my right hon. Friend agree that governors know their prisons and their prisoners best, and that many of the day-to-day operational decisions about such matters as the core regime, education and training are best devolved down from Governments into their local hands?

[Mr Lidington]

Yes, I do agree. I think it important for Ministers and officials in the Prison Service to trust the professionalism of governors who are in charge of individual establishments, which is why, as national contracts for particular services expire—for example, maintenance, repairs and food procurement contracts—we will seek opportunities to devolve them to establishment level.