Oral Answers to Questions

Rebecca Paul Excerpts

Tuesday 11th March 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Nicholas Dakin]

That is why we are doing this big system relook. The right hon. Member is right to draw attention to this. We are going to tackle it and sort it out.

[Rebecca Paul (Reigate) (Con)]

17. What support she has provided to prisons that have received an urgent notification since July 2024.

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

I thank the hon. Member for drawing attention to the terrible legacy we inherited from the previous Government. The Prisons Minister in the other place has personally visited three of the prisons that have recently received urgent notifications—Wandsworth, Winchester and Manchester—and plans to visit the fourth as soon as possible. He has strengthened the UN process and meets regularly with governors and senior officials to challenge them and assure himself that sufficient progress is being made.

[Rebecca Paul]

I thank the Minister for that answer. Prison officers do an important job, and I thank every officer at Downview Prison in Banstead. It is extremely concerning that the number of assaults on staff at Downview more than doubled between 2023 and 2024. What steps is he taking to ensure that officers are protected in their day-to-day jobs?