Oral Answers to Questions

Fiona Bruce Excerpts

Tuesday 31st October 2017 Commons Chamber

[Fiona Bruce (Congleton) (Con)]

7. What steps the Government are taking to empower prison governors.

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

We have given governors greater freedom over their prison’s daily routine and timetable, staffing and family services. We intend to give governors control of areas such as education and training provision. As other current contracts expire, I will look for opportunities to devolve further powers.

[Fiona Bruce]

There were 21 recommendations in the Farmer review and Ministers have made the welcome commitment to implement them all. What further support and incentives are being given to prison governors, as they have increased autonomy within their prisons, to ensure that that implementation happens on the ground?

[Mr Lidington]

The budgets have already been devolved to governors, enabling them to commission family services that are tailored to the specific needs of their prisoners. I have seen examples of that when visiting HMP Parc and HMP Bronzefield. Governors will be supported in future by new family services guidance, which will incorporate elements of Lord Farmer’s report, in the hope that they will all develop best practice.