Oral Answers to Questions

Paul Davies Excerpts

Tuesday 10th September 2024 Commons Chamber

[Monica Harding (Esher and Walton) (LD)]

9. What steps she is taking to support the rehabilitation of offenders.

[Paul Davies (Colne Valley) (Lab)]

15. What steps her Department is taking to help reduce levels of reoffending.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Sir Nicholas Dakin)]

Hon. Members are right to focus on reducing reoffending. Nearly 80% of offending is reoffending, and it has an immense cost to the taxpayer and to communities. As the Lord Chancellor said, we have inherited a difficult situation in relation to prison capacity, which makes it harder to address the rehabilitation needs of prisoners. The House should have no doubt that this Government will roll up our sleeves and get on with the job of reducing reoffending.

--- Later in debate ---

[Sir Nicholas Dakin]

My own example demonstrates that training and education are very important in whatever role one takes on, so I agree wholeheartedly with what the hon. Member says.

[Paul Davies]

Addressing literacy in UK prisons is crucial for successful rehabilitation. Improved literacy skills empower inmates with better job prospects, aiding their reintegration into society. Education fosters personal growth, self-esteem and decision-making abilities, which are essential for a crime-free life. Investing in prison literacy programmes is a vital step towards creating safer communities and offering inmates a genuine second chance. What comprehensive strategies are being implemented to address that?

[Sir Nicholas Dakin]

My hon. Friend is exactly right: literacy and numeracy are crucial. I was pleased to visit HMP Humber recently, where I saw excellent best practice. It is important that those programmes are in place, that we learn from best practice and that we continue to do our best in that area.