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1005861

	registered interest
	date	12/11/2018
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Prisons: Private Sector
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 18 September 2018 to Question 172523 on Prisons: Private Sector, when his Department stopped holding data on the number of staff certified under Section 89 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991.
	tabling member constituency	Dwyfor Meirionnydd
	tabling member printed	Liz Saville Roberts
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	190556
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/11/2018 answer text <p>With regards to when the Ministry of Justice stopped holding data on the number of certified staff and the reasons for doing so, it may help if I explain that the MoJ has never collected this information. Whilst Section 89 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 confirms that a Prison Custody Officer (PCO) is approved by the Secretary of State for the purpose of performing escort and custodial duties, it does not oblige the Secretary of State to collect or publish the information requested.</p><p> </p><p>The Secretary of State approves PCOs for the purpose of performing escort functions or custodial duties or both and PCO’s are accordingly authorised to perform them. However, there is not a process in place whereby the Secretary of State formally issues certificates to new PCOs, and as mentioned previously, Section 89 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 does not oblige the Secretary of State to collect or publish such information.</p><p> </p><p>All staffing matters, including the responsibility for ensuring the availability of sufficiently trained and experienced staff to maintain safe and decent prisons, lies with contractors. There is no requirement in the contracts to agree staffing levels with the Ministry of Justice. Therefore, all staff working in privately managed prisons are fully certified and, as such, the figures we hold, and have provided on several occasions, include the funded posts for fully certified staff.</p><p>As you know, each privately managed prison has a full-time on-site Controller employed by HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS). The Controller has regular review meetings with the contractor against a range of performance indicators that will reflect numbers of staff in post, recruitment, training, sickness, and attrition. Any concerns in relation to these performance indicators are discussed at these meetings. Where action is needed, progress is monitored by the Controller and escalated within HMPPS where appropriate action can be taken in accordance with the contract. This may include a requirement for urgent improvement and/or financial deductions.</p> answering member constituency Penrith and The Border answering member printed Rory Stewart grouped question UIN 190557 190560 190561 190939 question first answered 21/11/2018 17:05:17 answering member 4137 label Biography information for Rory Stewart previous answer version 86232 answering member constituency Penrith and The Border answering member printed Rory Stewart answering member 4137 label Biography information for Rory Stewart
	tabling member	4521 label Biography information for Liz Saville Roberts

1005862

	registered interest
	date	12/11/2018
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Prisons: Private Sector
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 18 September 2018 to Question 172523 on Prisons: Private Sector, for what reason his Department stopped holding data on the number of staff at each privately operated prison certified under Section 89 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991.
	tabling member constituency	Dwyfor Meirionnydd
	tabling member printed	Liz Saville Roberts
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	190557
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/11/2018 answer text <p>With regards to when the Ministry of Justice stopped holding data on the number of certified staff and the reasons for doing so, it may help if I explain that the MoJ has never collected this information. Whilst Section 89 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 confirms that a Prison Custody Officer (PCO) is approved by the Secretary of State for the purpose of performing escort and custodial duties, it does not oblige the Secretary of State to collect or publish the information requested.</p><p> </p><p>The Secretary of State approves PCOs for the purpose of performing escort functions or custodial duties or both and PCO’s are accordingly authorised to perform them. However, there is not a process in place whereby the Secretary of State formally issues certificates to new PCOs, and as mentioned previously, Section 89 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 does not oblige the Secretary of State to collect or publish such information.</p><p> </p><p>All staffing matters, including the responsibility for ensuring the availability of sufficiently trained and experienced staff to maintain safe and decent prisons, lies with contractors. There is no requirement in the contracts to agree staffing levels with the Ministry of Justice. Therefore, all staff working in privately managed prisons are fully certified and, as such, the figures we hold, and have provided on several occasions, include the funded posts for fully certified staff.</p><p>As you know, each privately managed prison has a full-time on-site Controller employed by HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS). The Controller has regular review meetings with the contractor against a range of performance indicators that will reflect numbers of staff in post, recruitment, training, sickness, and attrition. Any concerns in relation to these performance indicators are discussed at these meetings. Where action is needed, progress is monitored by the Controller and escalated within HMPPS where appropriate action can be taken in accordance with the contract. This may include a requirement for urgent improvement and/or financial deductions.</p> answering member constituency Penrith and The Border answering member printed Rory Stewart grouped question UIN 190556 190560 190561 190939 question first answered 21/11/2018 17:05:17 answering member 4137 label Biography information for Rory Stewart previous answer version 86235 answering member constituency Penrith and The Border answering member printed Rory Stewart answering member 4137 label Biography information for Rory Stewart
	tabling member	4521 label Biography information for Liz Saville Roberts

1005863

	registered interest
	date	12/11/2018
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Prisons: Private Sector
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 18 September 2018 to Question 172523 on Prisons: Private Sector, what grades of staff are covered by the term funded posts.
	tabling member constituency	Dwyfor Meirionnydd
	tabling member printed	Liz Saville Roberts
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	190558
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2018 answer text <p>The contract price for privately managed prisons includes the cost of providing all staff with the required skills and experience necessary for the provision of the services as set out in the contract. This includes, but is not limited to, administrative staff, Prison Custody Officers (PCOs) and Operational Support Grades (OSGs). The Ministry of Justice does not mandate staffing numbers and 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> </p><p>The performance of all providers continues to be robustly managed. We will not hesitate to take action if and when standards fall short.</p> answering member constituency Penrith and The Border answering member printed Rory Stewart grouped question UIN 190559 question first answered 20/11/2018 17:20:51 answering member 4137 label Biography information for Rory Stewart
	tabling member	4521 label Biography information for Liz Saville Roberts

1005864

	registered interest
	date	12/11/2018
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Prisons: Private Sector
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 18 September 2018 to Question 172523, on Prisons: Private Sector, who decides (a) which posts are classed as funded posts and (b) the number of funded posts.
	tabling member constituency	Dwyfor Meirionnydd
	tabling member printed	Liz Saville Roberts
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	190559
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2018 answer text <p>The contract price for privately managed prisons includes the cost of providing all staff with the required skills and experience necessary for the provision of the services as set out in the contract. This includes, but is not limited to, administrative staff, Prison Custody Officers (PCOs) and Operational Support Grades (OSGs). The Ministry of Justice does not mandate staffing numbers and 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> </p><p>The performance of all providers continues to be robustly managed. We will not hesitate to take action if and when standards fall short.</p> answering member constituency Penrith and The Border answering member printed Rory Stewart grouped question UIN 190558 question first answered 20/11/2018 17:20:51 answering member 4137 label Biography information for Rory Stewart
	tabling member	4521 label Biography information for Liz Saville Roberts

1006177

	registered interest
	date	13/11/2018
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Prison Officers: Labour Turnover
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to encourage more prison officers to stay in post.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	190890
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2018 answer text <p>Retaining and recruiting engaged and motivated staff is critical to delivering the solutions to drive improvement across the service. We know that retention of staff will take more than a ‘one size fits all’ approach, and specific action is being taken where attrition is most acute.</p><p> </p><p>We launched a Retention Framework and Action Plan, designed to support prisons in identifying drivers of attrition and local interventions. Governors are proactively using the Framework to implement the actions required to tackle attrition at their prisons. A Retention Board has also been established to review Band 3-5 Prison Officer resignation rates, providing support and targeted interventions to prisons with acute issues or increasing resignation rates.</p> answering member constituency Penrith and The Border answering member printed Rory Stewart question first answered 20/11/2018 17:17:49 answering member 4137 label Biography information for Rory Stewart
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1006178

	registered interest
	date	13/11/2018
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Prisons: Unmanned Air Vehicles
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department plans to take against (a) drone operators and (b) prisoners involved in receiving messages or contraband.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	190891
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2018 answer text <p>We are taking decisive steps to tackle the use of drones as a supply route for organised criminals to bring drugs and mobile phones into prisons. These drone operators can be prosecuted for offences related to conveyance of items into prison under the Prison Act 1952. Last year we launched Operation Trenton, a specialist team of police and Prison Service investigators, to work together to intercept drones and track down the criminals behind them.</p><p> </p><p>On 26 October, following the largest investigation of its kind, an organised criminal gang of 15 were collectively sentenced to nearly 40 years in prison for using drones to drop drugs into several prisons. One member of the gang received a sentence of 10 years’ custody, the highest single sentence for drone-related activity to date.</p><p> </p><p>Prisoners who break the law in prison should expect to be sanctioned according to the severity of the crime, with serious crimes being referred to the police for investigation. The maximum sentence that a court may impose will depend on the facts of the case and the offence the prisoner has been found guilty of committing. In respect of controlled drugs, for example, prisoners involved in their delivery may receive a sentence of up to 10 years’ custody and an unlimited fine.</p> answering member constituency Penrith and The Border answering member printed Rory Stewart question first answered 20/11/2018 17:16:31 answering member 4137 label Biography information for Rory Stewart
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1007761

	registered interest
	date	15/11/2018
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Crimes of Violence: Sentencing
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will review the sentencing guidelines for offences of assault against people delivering front line public services.
	tabling member constituency	East Londonderry
	tabling member printed	Mr Gregory Campbell
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	191880
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2018 answer text <p>Sentencing guidelines are developed and reviewed by the independent Sentencing Council.</p><p> </p><p>I understand that the Sentencing Council is currently revising the definitive sentencing guideline on assault and will be considering recent changes to legislation as part of this.</p> answering member constituency Penrith and The Border answering member printed Rory Stewart question first answered 20/11/2018 17:19:55 answering member 4137 label Biography information for Rory Stewart
	tabling member	1409 label Biography information for Mr Gregory Campbell

1008453

	registered interest
	date	16/11/2018
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Violent and Sex Offender Register: Cross Border Cooperation
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what liaison arrangements exist between the multi-agency public protection arrangements (MAPPA) framework in England and Wales and the MAPPA frameworks in (a) Scotland and (b) Northern Ireland.
	tabling member constituency	East Londonderry
	tabling member printed	Mr Gregory Campbell
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	192102
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/11/2018 answer text <p>Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) are separate, distinct frameworks in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. However, practitioners from Scotland and Northern Ireland are invited to attend MAPPA Improvement Group meetings in England and Wales and may join the MAPPA website (a secure online tool to facilitate policy announcements, consultation and communication between MAPPA practitioners). The Police National Lead for MAPPA in England and Wales visited colleagues in Scotland in May 2017 and Northern Ireland in October 2018.</p> answering member constituency Penrith and The Border answering member printed Rory Stewart question first answered 21/11/2018 14:56:56 answering member 4137 label Biography information for Rory Stewart
	tabling member	1409 label Biography information for Mr Gregory Campbell