Prisons: Urgent Notifications

11 Mar

Question

The question session centered on the UK Government's support to prisons facing urgent notifications, a tool used to address immediate concerns in prison facilities. Rebecca Paul (Conservative, Reigate) initiated the session by inquiring about support mechanisms put in place since July 2024 for such prisons.

Number of prisons with urgent notifications: 3 (Wandsworth, Winchester, Manchester)

These prisons have received personal visits from the Prisons Minister.

Sir Nicholas Dakin addressed this by detailing visits by the Prisons Minister to three of the affected prisons and outlined enhancements to the urgent notification (UN) process. The minister's commitment to engage directly with governors and officials signifies a drive for improved accountability and continuous progress assessment.

Increase in assaults on staff at Downview Prison by more than 100% between 2023 and 2024

A point raised by Rebecca Paul indicating the severity of staff safety concerns in prisons.

Paul raised a pressing issue about the increase in assaults on officers at Downview Prison, seeking confirmation on protective measures. Dakin acknowledged the concern, emphasizing the essential role of prison officers and the ongoing efforts to enhance their safety—revealing potential policy shifts or resource allocation focus.

Outcome

Overall, the session emphasized the Government's proactive stance in managing prisons under urgent notifications, highlighting onsite assessments and regular communication with prison officials. The interaction surfaced critical issues around officer safety, suggesting heightened measures may be forthcoming.

Key Contributions

Rebecca Paul

Conservative

Queried about support to urgent notification prisons post-July 2024, thanking prison officers for their work.

Sir Nicholas Dakin

Acknowledged the rigorous efforts by the Prisons Minister, including personal visits and enhanced UN processes.

Original Transcript

Rebecca Paul

Reigate

Con

Question

UIN: 903124

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

00:00

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?

Sir Nicholas Dakin

00:00

As the hon. Member rightly says, prison officers do an outstanding job. The work of the Prison Service is to make sure they are properly supported and protected in that role, and that is what is going on.

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All content derived from official parliamentary records