Asked by: Jamie Wallis (Conservative - Bridgend)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the need for debt enforcement companies to have (a) clear complaints procedures and (b) accessible avenues available for people trying to resolve a problem.
Answered by Mike Freer
This government strongly supports the Enforcement Conduct Board’s work, as an independent oversight body for enforcement companies, to develop standards for enforcement work and processes for handling complaints. The Enforcement Conduct Board will ensure that the rules are being followed and that those facing enforcement action are treated fairly.
Asked by: Jamie Wallis (Conservative - Bridgend)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will include provisions to strengthen freedom of speech in the legislative proposals for a Bill of Rights announced in the Queen's Speech 2022.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Shadow Secretary of State for Defence
Freedom of expression is a fundamental freedom that underpins our democracy. The Bill of Rights will strengthen protections that support and preserve the space for wide and democratic debate.
Asked by: Jamie Wallis (Conservative - Bridgend)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the suitability of the (a) Atlantic Hotel site in Porthcawl and (b) Sunnyside site in Bridgend as locations for a Women's Residential Centre in South Wales.
Answered by Alex Chalk
The Residential Women’s Centre in south Wales will offer women an intensive residential support package in their own community to address the underlying causes of their offending.
Following an extensive search earlier this year, the Atlantic Hotel and Sunnyside House were two of the properties put on a shortlist of possible suitable sites for the Residential Women’s Centre.
We have now completed further technical assessments of the Atlantic Hotel. Following consideration of the changes that would be needed to make it suitable for the vulnerable women with whom we will be working, we have decided the site is no longer an option for the residential women’s centre.
We are still reviewing the results of the technical assessments of Sunnyside House.
Asked by: Jamie Wallis (Conservative - Bridgend)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent steps he has taken to improve staff retention in the prison service.
Answered by Lucy Frazer
We want prison officers to have a long and successful career within HM Prison and Probation Service. We have recruited some 4,200 more prison officers over the past three years and we are working hard to retain our staff, investing in additional pay, training and the tools staff need to do their jobs safely.
There has been a specific focus on improving the induction processes that aim to ease the transition into the prison officer job whilst also providing care and support for new recruits and the offer of additional training. These interventions are intended to reduce staff turnover in the early stages of employment.
The Prison Officer Entry Level Training has recently been redeveloped into an apprenticeship that will launch in Summer 2020. The apprenticeship aims to improve retention and build a portfolio of experience through on-site training and reflective learning over a longer period.
All staff have access to services including 24/7 counselling, trauma support and occupational health assessments. In addition, there is work being undertaken directly with Governors to address local issues that will support experienced staff and new recruits to remain in the service.
Staff are provided with the appropriate equipment and training to enable them to maintain a safe and secure work place and to create an environment which is rewarding to work in and which promotes the values needed to rehabilitate offenders. This includes the introduction of introduce body-worn cameras, police-style restraints and PAVA incapacitant spray.
For sites where the local labour/employment market make it hard to recruit and retain staff, market supplements (regional adjustments and weightings) are used together with a tailored approach to recruitment advertising to ensure that we are competitive in the local labour market.