Oral Answers to Questions

Paul Davies Excerpts

Tuesday 10th December 2024 Commons Chamber

[Paul Davies (Colne Valley) (Lab)]

4. What steps she is taking to equip prisoners with the skills they need to support their rehabilitation.

[Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con)]

7. What steps she is taking to help ensure that prisoners are prepared for life outside of prison before they are released.

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

We are mandating careers advice in prisons and introducing a life skills curriculum. All released prisoners have access to an employment advisory board that can connect prisoners with work, and banking and ID administrators are preparing prisoners for life after prison.

[Paul Davies]

The UK faces a major labour shortage that is costing billions of pounds annually. Lacking prospects, many ex-prisoners return to a life of crime. Enhancing prisoner literacy and numeracy and providing vocational training can help equip them with skills for employment, leading to a reduction in reoffending rates. I welcome the “Get Britain Working” White Paper, which will address the issue. Does the Minister agree that failing to tackle the issue will not only cause a lifelong challenge for individuals, but create a significant problem for the state, including lost opportunities and increased crime?

[Sir Nicholas Dakin]

I agree with my hon. Friend. We know that having a job and a home are the best ways to reduce reoffending. That is why we have employment hubs in all resettlement prisons, where prisoners can access job vacancies and support with their applications.

Oral Answers to Questions

Paul Davies Excerpts

Tuesday 5th November 2024 Commons Chamber

[Heidi Alexander]

I will raise the evidential questions that my hon. Friend raised with representatives of the train operating companies when they and other SJP prosecutors join me in discussions in the next few weeks. I am clear that the single justice procedure is vital for the efficient running of the magistrates court. However, it must operate fairly and effectively. I will not tolerate poor practice, and I will not hesitate to fundamentally reform the system if that is required.

[Paul Davies (Colne Valley) (Lab)]

6. What steps her Department is taking to support young offenders.

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

The young futures programme will be a prevention-first approach to crime reduction, building on the Department’s successful turnaround programme. I was very pleased to visit the first secure school which will put education at its heart, ensuring children in custody turn their lives around.

[Paul Davies]

Over the past decade, the quality and quantity of education in young offenders institutions has declined, as reported by Sir Martin Oliver, His Majesty’s chief inspector of education, children’s services and skills, and Charlie Taylor, His Majesty’s chief inspector of prisons. These institutions are facing difficulties in managing challenging behaviours, leading to an increase in children being put into isolation. Children in these institutions deserve a high-quality education that helps them to turn their lives around. The current system is failing them badly. Will the Minister outline what actions the Government can take to ensure that young offenders receive a high-quality education—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. We are in danger of not getting anybody else in. These are becoming statements rather than questions. I am sure the Minister has grasped it.

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.