Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Ministry of Justice

Oral Answers to Questions

Jeremy Lefroy Excerpts
Tuesday 23rd June 2015

(9 years, 4 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Michael Fabricant Portrait Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con)
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10. What his plans are for the future of rehabilitation services for prisoners; and if he will make a statement.

Jeremy Lefroy Portrait Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con)
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14. What his plans are for the future of rehabilitation services for prisoners; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Gove Portrait The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice (Michael Gove)
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May I begin by praising the work of my predecessor to improve the rehabilitation of offenders? Thanks to his reforming zeal, we have broadened the range of people providing and benefiting from rehabilitation, but there is still much more to do.

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Michael Gove Portrait Michael Gove
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I absolutely agree—that is a very good point. May I single out for praise the John Lewis Partnership, which does such a fantastic job in helping people from a variety of backgrounds to be all they can be? I stress that there are other organisations, such as Greggs the bakers and, of course, Timpson, the shoe and key repair firm. John Timpson’s leadership in providing ex-offenders with a second chance is exemplary.

Jeremy Lefroy Portrait Jeremy Lefroy
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Given that 12% of the prison population are sex offenders, including many in the prison in Stafford, what specific rehabilitation work is being done for sex offenders?

Michael Gove Portrait Michael Gove
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The excellent work that is done in Stafford prison is close to my hon. Friend’s heart, and he is absolutely right. We need to make use of the most sophisticated means that psychologists can devise to help people to tackle the problems that led them to offend. I had the opportunity earlier this week to talk to the psychologist in charge of that work at the National Offender Management Service, and to guarantee her all support in the weeks and months ahead in dealing with those terrible crimes.