Asked by: Daisy Cooper (Liberal Democrat - St Albans)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether prison transfers are being accepted to (a) HMP Spring Hill and (b) HMP Coldingley.
Answered by Alex Chalk - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
Both HMP Spring Hill and HMP Coldingley are currently accepting transfers.
In order to control the transmission of the virus, prisoners who are transferred to another prison are quarantined for 14 days upon arrival in order to manage any risks they might bring and protect the rest of a prison’s population. We are also testing all new arrivals and transfers twice in the first six days in all prisons across the estate. In addition, rapid point of care tests are being introduced in all prisons to enable prisoners to be tested prior to transfer. Any positive results or symptomatic prisoners are not transferred.
Whilst transfers into the majority of prisons have not ceased, specific prisons may have to temporarily pause their transfers in/out in the event of a declared outbreak. The timeframes associated with this pause, as well as the recovery measures required, are monitored nationally by HMPPS and taken in close consultation with public health bodies.
Asked by: Daisy Cooper (Liberal Democrat - St Albans)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what progress he is making on reviewing legislative provisions on positions of trust as set out in the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
Answered by Alex Chalk - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
I recognise the concerns about the risk to young people of those in a position of trust, abusing their position. This is an incredibly complex area and it is important that we ensure that the law is working effectively to ensure that young people are protected. Any consideration for reform in this area must achieve the sensitive balance between the protection of young people and ensuring we do not infringe upon the sexual rights and freedoms of those over the age of 16 granted to them by Parliament.
We have taken into account the findings of the review carried out on the legislative provisions on positions of trust as set out in the Sexual Offences Act 2003 and are considering next steps with both pace and care. I hope to be in a position to update the house on this work shortly.
Asked by: Daisy Cooper (Liberal Democrat - St Albans)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of undertaking equality impact assessments for staff returning to work with HM Courts and Tribunal Service which take into account an employee's protected characteristics.
Answered by Chris Philp - Minister of State (Home Office)
HMCTS have comprehensively assessed risk to staff and users and are ensuring the safety of anyone who comes into our buildings by applying published court and tribunal coronavirus safety controls. These have been endorsed by Public Health England and Public Health Wales. Additionally, a process for checking compliance at each site is in place, with controls reviewed and monitored at each court and tribunal building.
Following the recent publication of additional PHE guidance, ‘Beyond the Data’ HMCTS are conducting specific recorded conversations for any individuals of BAME ethnicities, colleagues who are over 70 or male colleagues of working age. This has formed part of the current return to work process and will require individuals to self-identify as being from one of the specified groups. For individuals who are already in the workplace, this has formed part of their 4 weekly Keeping in Touch conversation with their line manager. The tool is being used with Line managers to capture and record what additional support or interventions are being considered to ensure colleagues feel comfortable and safe in the workplace. HMCTS HR will continually review the tool and its suitability, in line with central Civil Service Employee Policy guidance.
Our priority is to keep all court users safe and we staff for their service during this unprecedented public health emergency.
Asked by: Daisy Cooper (Liberal Democrat - St Albans)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he has undertaken an equality impact assessment of the risk assessment tool for bringing staff back into work at HM Courts and Tribunal Service.
Answered by Chris Philp - Minister of State (Home Office)
HMCTS have comprehensively assessed risk to staff and users and are ensuring the safety of anyone who comes into our buildings by applying published court and tribunal coronavirus safety controls. These have been endorsed by Public Health England and Public Health Wales. Additionally, a process for checking compliance at each site is in place, with controls reviewed and monitored at each court and tribunal building.
Following the recent publication of additional PHE guidance, ‘Beyond the Data’ HMCTS are conducting specific recorded conversations for any individuals of BAME ethnicities, colleagues who are over 70 or male colleagues of working age. This has formed part of the current return to work process and will require individuals to self-identify as being from one of the specified groups. For individuals who are already in the workplace, this has formed part of their 4 weekly Keeping in Touch conversation with their line manager. The tool is being used with Line managers to capture and record what additional support or interventions are being considered to ensure colleagues feel comfortable and safe in the workplace. HMCTS HR will continually review the tool and its suitability, in line with central Civil Service Employee Policy guidance.
Our priority is to keep all court users safe and we staff for their service during this unprecedented public health emergency.
Asked by: Daisy Cooper (Liberal Democrat - St Albans)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what proportion of children being supported by Youth Offending Team services have (a) had a speech, language and communication assessment and (b) have access to specialist speech, language and communication support.
Answered by Lucy Frazer - Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
Although the Ministry of Justice does not centrally collect data on this, we are working to improve the outcomes for children with these needs.
Youth Offending Teams (which sit within local authorities) are at the forefront of working with vulnerable children. The Ministry of Justice and the Youth Justice Board have sought to build the knowledge of sector professionals in speech, language and communication needs. For example, the Youth Justice Board has worked with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists to develop guidance for practitioners and managers in Youth Offending Teams. It has also created additional guidance for Youth Offending Teams in using the AssetPlus screening tool, to identify and analyse speech, language and communication concerns.
Asked by: Daisy Cooper (Liberal Democrat - St Albans)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of allowing children receiving support from Youth Offending Teams to continue accessing this service until the age of 25, rather than being transitioned to the Probation Service at 18 years old.
Answered by Lucy Frazer - Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
This Government recognises that transitioning from youth offending services to adult probation services is a very important issue, and we are looking at how we can improve the process. We also recognise that young adults (18-25 year olds) have distinct needs which need to be addressed during this process. In general, the transition to adulthood presents a new range of challenges for young people, such as finding housing, employment and navigating the welfare system. The complexity of this can hinder a young person’s desistance from crime.
We need to strike a balance between putting the right support in place for vulnerable young adults, and supporting them to engage independently with adult services, so that there is not another drop off in services at 25. We are committed to supporting young people transition from youth offending services to adult probation services so that they have the best opportunity to desist from criminal behaviour.
The Youth Justice Board (YJB) is working with Her Majesty’s Prisons and Probation Service (HMPPS) to review the Joint National Transition Protocol for Youth Offending Teams (YOTs) and Probation in both England and Wales separately. This provides guidance to services supporting the transition of children to adult services once they reach age 18.
In addition, the YJB has been focussing on supporting the most effective transitioning of children into adult services, and for those services to recognise and meet the unique needs of this group. The YJB also identifies and disseminates emerging practice from the sector through a variety of channels including the Youth Justice Resource Hub
Officials in the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) are also working in collaboration with the London Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) and London Councils to review existing transition arrangements for young adults coming into contact with probation services in London.
In response to evidence that young adults continue psychosocial maturity and development well into their mid-twenties, a resource pack and screening tool is now available in prisons and some probation areas to assess and support young people whose maturity is still developing.
Asked by: Daisy Cooper (Liberal Democrat - St Albans)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of using performance venues and centres for the arts as additional courtroom spaces during the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Chris Philp - Minister of State (Home Office)
I refer the Hon Member to my answer of 16 June, to Question 56017.
HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) officials are looking at how we make the best possible use of the existing estate, as well as creating more capacity. This means considering whether any recently closed courts which are still owned by HMCTS are suitable for reopening, and identifying alternative spaces to further extend provision.
We are looking at a range of venues that may be appropriate, including performance venues and centres for the arts. Any additional capacity will need to meet standards for safety and security and be compliant with Covid-19 public health guidance.
Asked by: Daisy Cooper (Liberal Democrat - St Albans)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will take steps to ensure (a) the adequacy of resources allocated to rehabilitative courses and (b) that there is a sufficient number of tutors to deliver those courses throughout the prison estate in a timely manner.
Answered by Lucy Frazer - Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
Rehabilitation courses can mean a variety of activities, including Accredited offending behaviour programmes (OBPs) which are designed to change an individual’s attitudes, thinking and behaviour for those who meet the specific criteria for access. Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) reviews the OBPs and other activity provided across the estate on an annual basis and seeks to ensure courses meet the needs of the population. The level of investment has been maintained and each course has an agreed pool of facilitators depending on the type and volume of programmes to be run, for which the necessary funding is provided.
Due to COVID-19, a restricted regime has been in place in prisons in order to ensure the safety of both staff and prisoners. It has therefore not been possible to continue with many accredited programmes and other rehabilitative courses. However, we are now in a place where we are looking to restart programmes in a way that will ensure the health and safety of staff and offenders.
Asked by: Daisy Cooper (Liberal Democrat - St Albans)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he will take to ensure that prisoners satisfy the release requirements set out in the Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Bill 2019-21.
Answered by Lucy Frazer - Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
The Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Bill will end early release for the most serious terrorist offenders.
The new ‘Serious Terrorism Sentence’ for the most serious and dangerous offenders will carry a minimum of 14 years to be spent in custody, with an extended licence period between 7 and 25 years. We are also ending early release for the most serious offenders who receive Extended Determinate Sentences – instead the whole custodial period will be served in prison and they will serve up to 10 years on licence.
For offenders sentenced under either of these provisions, they will not be considered by the Parole Board for discretionary release, meaning the prospect of early release for these offenders is removed. This sends a clear message that this Government treats this kind of offending incredibly seriously.
Asked by: Daisy Cooper (Liberal Democrat - St Albans)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will take steps to ensure the adequacy of the number of members of the Parole Board required to review the number of prisoners needing Parole Board authorisation for release.
Answered by Lucy Frazer - Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
The Ministry of Justice keeps the number of Parole Board Members under review to ensure there are sufficient members for it to conduct its vital work carrying out risk assessments to determine whether prisoners can be safely released into the community.
A recruitment campaign was launched on 8 June 2020 to recruit psychologist, psychiatrist and retired judicial members and there are plans to launch a recruitment campaign for independent members later this year.