Prison Officers Association: Withdrawal from Voluntary Tasks Debate

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Department: Ministry of Justice

Prison Officers Association: Withdrawal from Voluntary Tasks

Tom Brake Excerpts
Tuesday 28th February 2017

(7 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Sam Gyimah Portrait Mr Gyimah
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I certainly do agree. In fact, the legislation on this was introduced by the previous Labour Government, so I was surprised that the shadow Minister would not condemn this unlawful strike action.

Tom Brake Portrait Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington) (LD)
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When prisons are in crisis and staff are on strike, every available penny should be spent on making prisons safe. Is the Minister aware that last year £500,000 of compensation was paid to serious criminals because they were released late from prison? When will he get that under control and provide prison officers with a safe working environment and prisoners with a safe and drug-free environment in which to be detained?

Sam Gyimah Portrait Mr Gyimah
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The right hon. Gentleman will be aware that we published a White Paper last year, and only last week introduced the Prisons and Courts Bill—the first Bill in 65 years that not only puts turning around our prisoners’ lives at the centre of our work but improves safety and security in our prisons. We are taking action.