Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jake Richards and Bob Blackman

Tuesday 3rd February 2026 Commons Chamber

[Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con)]

T5. To discourage ex-offenders from reoffending, it is crucial that on leaving prison they have a stable home, the opportunity of a job, and a stable network around them to stop them reoffending. However, with the advent of early release, there is a risk that those leaving prison are not given that support before they leave the prison gates. What action will the Minister take to ensure that those leaving prison after completing their sentences actually do not reoffend?

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Jake Richards)]

The hon. Gentleman is right to raise reoffending. It is why the Government are making a record £700 million investment in our Probation Service—a 45% increase—to try to fix a service that the last Conservative Government broke completely. That is the best and only way we will deal with the prison capacity crisis and clamp down on reoffending.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jake Richards and Bob Blackman

Tuesday 16th September 2025 Commons Chamber

[Jake Richards]

Yes, I am aware of the great work that the Clink does, as are the Justice Secretary and the Prisons Minister in the other place. We will be reviewing what has happened and is happening there in due course.

[Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con)]

One of the keys ways to reduce reoffending is to ensure that ex-offenders leaving prison have secure places to live and are not tempted to go back to a life of crime. However, it can be a consequence of early release that that is not prepared in advance. What action will the Minister take so that prison governors and those involved in the prison service ensure that ex-offenders go into secure accommodation once they leave prison?