Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will make an assessment of the implications for the Government's policies of the Independent Monitoring Board's report of 17 October 2018 on HMP Bedford.

I am currently considering the content and recommendations of the report from the IMB at HMP Bedford. I will respond to the report as soon as that process is completed, and I will ensure a copy of the response is shared with you.

We have published an action plan to stabilise HMP Bedford following an Urgent Notification by HM Inspectorate of Prisons. The action plan can be found at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/justice-secretary-publishes-plans-to-stabilise-bedford-prison