{ "format" : "linked-data-api", "version" : "0.2", "result" : {"_about" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?max-ddpModified.=2019-10-02T19%3A08%3A16.096Z&tablingMemberConstituency=North+Tyneside&answeringDeptSortName=Justice", "definition" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/meta/answeredquestions.text?max-ddpModified.=2019-10-02T19%3A08%3A16.096Z&tablingMemberConstituency=North+Tyneside&answeringDeptSortName=Justice", "extendedMetadataVersion" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?max-ddpModified.=2019-10-02T19%3A08%3A16.096Z&tablingMemberConstituency=North+Tyneside&answeringDeptSortName=Justice&_metadata=all", "first" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_page=0&max-ddpModified.=2019-10-02T19%3A08%3A16.096Z&tablingMemberConstituency=North+Tyneside&answeringDeptSortName=Justice", "hasPart" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?max-ddpModified.=2019-10-02T19%3A08%3A16.096Z&tablingMemberConstituency=North+Tyneside&answeringDeptSortName=Justice", "isPartOf" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?max-ddpModified.=2019-10-02T19%3A08%3A16.096Z&tablingMemberConstituency=North+Tyneside&answeringDeptSortName=Justice", "items" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1147755", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1147755/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

We will never compromise on the safety of those in our care, and staff are trained to respond to emergency situations in a timely, appropriate manner. The Government is taking unprecedented action to improve safety in custody. We have invested significantly in increased staff numbers, recruiting an additional 4,366 (full time equivalent) prison officers between October 2016 and June 2019, surpassing our original target of 2,500. We will continue to recruit officers to ensure prisons are safe and decent.<\/p>

<\/p>

The table below provides the numbers of all fires in prisons between 2016 \u2013 2018. Data prior to 2016 was not collected centrally and, as such, no reliable data before that time exists. However, the figures below show a significant fall in the number of fires in 2018, which coincides with the implementation of smoke free prisons and our actions to improve safety in custody.<\/p>

Year<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

Number of fires<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

Reduction as a percentage of previous year\u2019s total<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

2014<\/p><\/td>

Data not available<\/p><\/td>

N/A<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

2015<\/p><\/td>

Data not available<\/p><\/td>

N/A<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

2016<\/p><\/td>

2,314<\/p><\/td>

N/A<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

2017<\/p><\/td>

2,287<\/p><\/td>

1.2%<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

2018<\/p><\/td>

1,517<\/p><\/td>

50.1%<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4517", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lucy Frazer"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South East Cambridgeshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lucy Frazer"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-10-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "293574"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-10-07T14:47:25.853Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-10-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Prisons: Fires"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the trends in the number of fire events in prisons in each of the last five years.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4126", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mary Glindon"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North Tyneside"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mary Glindon"} ], "uin" : "293568"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1147756", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1147756/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

There is evidence, as part of wider data collected on fires in prisons, which confirms vape pens have been used as a source of ignition.<\/p>

<\/p>

We will never compromise on the safety of those in our care, and staff are trained to respond to emergency situations in a timely, appropriate manner. The Government is taking unprecedented action to improve safety in custody. We have invested significantly in increase staff numbers, recruiting an additional 4,366 (full time equivalent) prison officers between October 2016 and June 2019, surpassing our original target of 2,500. We will continue to recruit officers to ensure prisons are safe and decent.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4517", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lucy Frazer"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South East Cambridgeshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lucy Frazer"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-10-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-10-07T16:22:38.11Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-10-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Prisons: Fires"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether vape pens have been used to start fires in prisons; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4126", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mary Glindon"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North Tyneside"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mary Glindon"} ], "uin" : "293569"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1147758", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1147758/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

We will never compromise on the safety of those in our care, and staff are trained to respond to emergency situations in a timely, appropriate manner. The Government is taking unprecedented action to improve safety in custody. We have invested significantly in increasing staff numbers, recruiting an additional 4,366 (full time equivalent) prison officers between October 2016 and June 2019, surpassing our original target of 2,500. We will continue to recruit officers to ensure prisons are safe and decent.<\/p>

<\/p>

The continued reduction of fires across the prison estate is of significant importance to HMPPS with an inaugural national arson reduction workshop held in April 2019. The objectives of the workshop were to develop national good practice to prevent fire setting, and to form an Arson Reduction Working Group. The Working Group met in June and will meet again this month.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4517", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lucy Frazer"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South East Cambridgeshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lucy Frazer"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-10-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-10-07T16:17:45.92Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-10-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Prisons: Arson"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many national prison arson reduction workshops have been held in each of the last 12 quarters; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4126", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mary Glindon"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North Tyneside"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mary Glindon"} ], "uin" : "293570"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1147761", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1147761/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The table below provides the numbers of enforcement notices have been issued in relation to prison fire safety arrangements in each of the last 12 quarters.<\/p>

We take any such enforcement notices seriously and produce an action plan to ensure that compliance is quickly achieved whenever they are issued.<\/p>

We are taking urgent action to improve safety and decency in our prisons, including spending up to £2.5 billion to create a modern and efficient estate fit for the future.<\/p>

Year<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

Quarter 1 <\/strong> (Jan- Mar)<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

Quarter 2 <\/strong> (Apr-Jun)<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

Quarter 3 <\/strong> (Jul-Sep)<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

Quarter 4 <\/strong> (Oct-Dec)<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

2016<\/p><\/td>

-<\/p><\/td>

-<\/p><\/td>

-<\/p><\/td>

3<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

2017<\/p><\/td>

5<\/p><\/td>

1<\/p><\/td>

4<\/p><\/td>

4<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

2018<\/p><\/td>

3<\/p><\/td>

0<\/p><\/td>

2<\/p><\/td>

0<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

2019<\/p><\/td>

1<\/p><\/td>

4<\/p><\/td>

3<\/p><\/td>

-<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4517", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lucy Frazer"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South East Cambridgeshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lucy Frazer"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-10-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-10-07T16:09:18.233Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-10-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Prisons: Fire Prevention"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many enforcement notices have been issued in relation to prison fire safety arrangements in each of the last 12 quarters; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4126", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mary Glindon"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North Tyneside"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mary Glindon"} ], "uin" : "293571"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1137549", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1137549/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The Ministry of Justice has not set a target waiting time for benefit appeals to be heard in the Social Security and Child Support (SSCS) jurisdiction. This is because waiting times fluctuate geographically owing to a number of factors including venue capacity, the volumes of benefit decisions made locally, the complexity of the case and the availability of panel members. Furthermore, the listing of appeals, including consideration of whether a hearing should be expedited, is a function of the Tribunal\u2019s judiciary. There are also no targets for staffing levels for medical members, disability qualified members or judges in the SSCS jurisdiction. Levels are set based on forecast receipts to the SSCS jurisdiction, outstanding workload, and venue capacity.<\/p>

<\/p>

HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HCMTS) is taking positive steps to reduce the waiting time for appeals to be heard in the SSCS jurisdiction. In 2018, 232 medical members and 118 disability-qualified members were additionally appointed to the SSCS jurisdiction and an extra 129 fee-paid judges have recently been appointed. The SSCS jurisdiction will also benefit from 100 salaried judges and 170 fee-paid judges being recruited across tribunals more widely. In addition, HMCTS is developing a new digital system with a view to enabling speedier processing of appeals and a better service for all parties to the proceedings. Case-management \u201ctriage\u201d sessions are also being conducted, with the aim of reducing the number of cases that need to progress to an oral hearing.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3926", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Paul Maynard"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Blackpool North and Cleveleys"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Paul Maynard"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-07-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "274535"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-07-17T17:10:49.007Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-07-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Social Security Benefits: Appeals"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the target waiting time is for benefit tribunals; and what the timeframe is for that target to be met.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4126", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mary Glindon"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North Tyneside"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mary Glindon"} ], "uin" : "274534"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1137550", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1137550/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The Ministry of Justice has not set a target waiting time for benefit appeals to be heard in the Social Security and Child Support (SSCS) jurisdiction. This is because waiting times fluctuate geographically owing to a number of factors including venue capacity, the volumes of benefit decisions made locally, the complexity of the case and the availability of panel members. Furthermore, the listing of appeals, including consideration of whether a hearing should be expedited, is a function of the Tribunal\u2019s judiciary. There are also no targets for staffing levels for medical members, disability qualified members or judges in the SSCS jurisdiction. Levels are set based on forecast receipts to the SSCS jurisdiction, outstanding workload, and venue capacity.<\/p>

<\/p>

HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HCMTS) is taking positive steps to reduce the waiting time for appeals to be heard in the SSCS jurisdiction. In 2018, 232 medical members and 118 disability-qualified members were additionally appointed to the SSCS jurisdiction and an extra 129 fee-paid judges have recently been appointed. The SSCS jurisdiction will also benefit from 100 salaried judges and 170 fee-paid judges being recruited across tribunals more widely. In addition, HMCTS is developing a new digital system with a view to enabling speedier processing of appeals and a better service for all parties to the proceedings. Case-management \u201ctriage\u201d sessions are also being conducted, with the aim of reducing the number of cases that need to progress to an oral hearing.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3926", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Paul Maynard"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Blackpool North and Cleveleys"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Paul Maynard"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-07-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "274534"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-07-17T17:10:49.07Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-07-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Social Security Benefits: Appeals"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 19 February to Question 221635, what the target staffing levels are for (a) medical members, (b) disability qualified members and (c) judges in the social security and child support jurisdiction.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4126", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mary Glindon"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North Tyneside"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mary Glindon"} ], "uin" : "274535"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1134455", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1134455/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

Year<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

Number of prisoners who have received damages for a prisoner on prisoner assault claim<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

2016/17<\/p><\/td>

42<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

2017/18<\/p><\/td>

48<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

2018/19<\/p><\/td>

Figure unavailable as 2018/19 litigation data is still being verified.<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

<\/p>

The figures in the table have been drawn from administrative IT systems which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.<\/p>

<\/p>

Violence in prisons remains unacceptably high but there are early signs that we are making progress. Eight of the jails involved in the \u201810 Prisons Project\u2019 saw falls in the final quarter of 2018 \u2013 four of them by more than 25% - while the number of assaults across the estate reduced by 11%.<\/p>

<\/p>

Across the prison estate we have invested an additional £70m in a raft of measures designed to improve safety, security and decency - including body-scanners, enhanced searches and new investigative teams - while the 4,700 additional staff we have recruited since October 2016 are making a real difference.<\/p>

<\/p>

There are no plans for a further statement at this time.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4106", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Robert Buckland"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South Swindon"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Robert Buckland"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-07-01", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-07-01T16:46:42.297Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-06-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Prisoners: Compensation"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prisoners have received compensation for being assaulted by a fellow prisoner in each of the last three years, and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4126", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mary Glindon"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North Tyneside"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mary Glindon"} ], "uin" : "269059"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1134548", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1134548/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The information requested is not held centrally. Last year, all automated gates across the prison estate were inspected and serviced to ensure that they were in good working order. Following those inspections, each gate was left with the relevant safety features working properly.<\/p>

<\/p>

Our maintenance providers are instructed to test the operation of all such gates at least once a month, including the relevant safety features. We will continue to monitor their work closely to ensure that the maintenance of gates does not fall short of the standard required.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4106", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Robert Buckland"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South Swindon"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Robert Buckland"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-07-01", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-07-01T16:38:34.067Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-06-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Prisons: Security"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, which prisons contain an electronic gate with at least one safety feature disengaged; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4126", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mary Glindon"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North Tyneside"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mary Glindon"} ], "uin" : "269060"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1122746", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1122746/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

There is no single comparative assessment of public versus private prisons. However, all public sector and privately managed prisons are subject to the same performance framework, which assesses data against a range of measures. These are augmented by inspection scores, business intelligence and management information, including from management visits and assurance activities. Following an end of year moderation process, each establishment is assigned a place on a four-point rating scale, which runs from serious concern (1) to exceptional (4). The ratings for 2017/18 are published on gov.uk at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/prison-performance-ratings-2017-to-2018<\/a>. Ratings for 2018/19 will be published in July this year.<\/p>

<\/p>

All prisons are also independently scrutinised by Independent Monitoring Boards, HM Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) and the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman.<\/p>

<\/p>

The operational capacity of all prisons in England and Wales is provided monthly as part of the regularly published prison population statistics. This information can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/prison-population-statistics<\/a>. The rate of crowding is published in the Annual HMPPS Digest at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/annual-hm-prison-and-probation-service-digest-2017-to-2018<\/a>. The average percentage of prisoners in crowded accommodation was 24.2% in 2017/18, a reduction of 0.3% from 2016/17.<\/p>

<\/p>

The level of violence across both public sector and privately managed prisons is also closely monitored, and statistics are published routinely on gov.uk. The latest safety in custody statistics can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/safety-in-custody-quarterly-update-to-december-2018<\/a>.<\/p>

<\/p>

Prison officer numbers are at their highest in five years, which is vital to ensuring prisons are safe, secure and decent. We have recruited over 4,700 new prison officers across the country since October 2016 to improve safety and help turn offenders\u2019 lives around. The recruitment drive will continue until we reach required levels across the prison estate, ensuring prisons can fulfil their purpose \u2013 protecting the public, reducing reoffending and, crucially, rehabilitating offenders. A breakdown of staffing at various grades by public sector prison establishment is provided as part of the HMPPS workforce statistics, which are published quarterly at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-offender-management-service-workforce-statistics<\/a><\/p>

<\/p>

The Ministry of Justice does not hold staffing numbers for privately managed prisons and, as such, their workforce statistics are not published. It is the responsibility of the contractor to determine and maintain the number of staff necessary to discharge the requirements of the contract and ensure that staff are sufficiently trained to undertake their duties.<\/p>

<\/p>

Privately managed prisons have different grading systems from public sector establishments. Terms and conditions for staff, however, remain comparative.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4362", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Edward Argar"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Charnwood"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Edward Argar"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-05-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-05-02T16:08:53.627Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-04-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Prisons"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what comparative assessment he has made of (a) employment terms and conditions, (b) levels of violence, (c) overcrowding and (d) staffing levels at private and public prisons.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4126", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mary Glindon"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North Tyneside"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mary Glindon"} ], "uin" : "247067"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1121446", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1121446/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The tables below provide information on the number of individuals on a GPS tag per month during the Ministry of Justice GPS pilot. The Pilot ran in two regional police force clusters: the Midlands (Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire and West Midlands) and BeNCH (Bedfordshire, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire). The learning from the Pilot has been incorporated into the new national location monitoring service announced by the Secretary of State on 16 February. This will help strengthen supervision, enforce exclusion zones and give victims greater peace of mind. More detail about the Pilot, including the cohorts involved, can be found here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/process-evaluation-of-the-global-positioning-system-gps-electronic-monitoring-pilot<\/a><\/p>

<\/p>

The numbers of new starts in the Pilot dropped to zero a few months before the end of the Pilot. This was because the Pilot was scheduled to last for 18 months, ending on 31 March 2018. As most electronic monitoring orders last several months, the MoJ imposed a cut-off date for fitting new tags three months before the Pilot was due to end. This ensured that decision makers were not, for example, ordering new tags to be fitted only a few weeks before they would have to be removed.<\/p>

<\/p>

Table 1 shows the total number of individuals wearing a GPS tag at the end of every month.<\/p>

<\/p>

Table 2 shows the number of new GPS starts each month.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4137", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rory Stewart"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Penrith and The Border"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Rory Stewart"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-04-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-04-29T16:39:49.173Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-04-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Offenders: Electronic Tagging"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 28 March 2019 to Question 234706 on Offenders: Electronic Tagging, how many offenders have taken part in each of the GPS electronic tagging pilots in each month since the pilots started.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4126", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mary Glindon"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North Tyneside"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mary Glindon"} ], "uin" : "244087"} ], "itemsPerPage" : 10, "next" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_page=1&max-ddpModified.=2019-10-02T19%3A08%3A16.096Z&tablingMemberConstituency=North+Tyneside&answeringDeptSortName=Justice", "page" : 0, "startIndex" : 1, "totalResults" : 72, "type" : ["http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#ListEndpoint", "http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#Page"]} }