Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will take steps to ensure (a) the adequacy of resources allocated to rehabilitative courses and (b) that there is a sufficient number of tutors to deliver those courses throughout the prison estate in a timely manner.

Rehabilitation courses can mean a variety of activities, including Accredited offending behaviour programmes (OBPs) which are designed to change an individual’s attitudes, thinking and behaviour for those who meet the specific criteria for access. Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) reviews the OBPs and other activity provided across the estate on an annual basis and seeks to ensure courses meet the needs of the population. The level of investment has been maintained and each course has an agreed pool of facilitators depending on the type and volume of programmes to be run, for which the necessary funding is provided.

Due to COVID-19, a restricted regime has been in place in prisons in order to ensure the safety of both staff and prisoners. It has therefore not been possible to continue with many accredited programmes and other rehabilitative courses. However, we are now in a place where we are looking to restart programmes in a way that will ensure the health and safety of staff and offenders.