The Government is committed to the protection of the public and the effective management of offenders. Prisoners serving indeterminate sentences, both those serving life and Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP), who have completed their tariff will be released only when the Parole Board concludes that it is no longer necessary on the grounds of public protection for them to remain confined. Where the Parole Board decide not to release the prisoner, the prisoner\u2019s suitability for release must be considered at least every two years thereafter.<\/p>
In line with the Justice Select Committee\u2019s report into the continued existence of the IPP sentence, the Government committed to update and refresh the HM Prison and Probation Service\u2019s IPP Action Plan, to which may be attributed the very significant numbers of IPP prisoners released for the first time in each year since 2016. The Action Plan already mandates a formal case review led by HMPPS Psychology Services for every IPP prisoner who has spent five years in prison following tariff expiry and has never been released.<\/p>
The Action Plan remains the embodiment of the Government\u2019s aim to reduce the total IPP prisoner population \u2013 that is the combined figure of those who have never been released and those returned to prison following recall. Specifically, by way of response to the Committee\u2019s assertion that offenders serving an IPP sentence on licence in the community are being recalled unnecessarily, the Government has requested that the Chief Inspector of Probation carry out an independent thematic inspection on the proportionality of recall decisions made. In cases where \u2018other\u2019 is listed as a reason for recall, there is always at least one additional, specific reason as recorded in the published recall statistics.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4941", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Bellamy"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Bellamy"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-03-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "HL5681"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-03-06T12:39:49.53Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-02-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Prisoners"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to review all cases of persons held for more than five years beyond their judicial tariffs.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2018", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Hylton"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Hylton"} ], "uin" : "HL5679"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1587293", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1587293/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Prevention of suicide is a key priority for the Ministry of Justice. Prison Service Instruction 64/2011 on \u201cRules and guidance for prison staff on managing prisoners who are at risk of harm or death, or who may be a risk to others\u201d provides overarching guidance on prison safety and supports the prevention of suicide in prisons, including through our case management approach for prisoners at risk of suicide and self-harm. The instruction sets out mandatory actions and guidance for staff, emphasising the importance of individualised support, multi-disciplinary teamwork, and identifying and addressing an individual\u2019s risks, triggers and protective factors.<\/p>
In addition, we are phasing in refreshed safety training for staff which includes suicide and self-harm prevention. In partnership with Samaritans, we have developed a suicide prevention learning tool, designed to give staff more confidence in engaging with prisoners who may be at risk of suicide. We have developed guidance on supporting someone who is self-harming, drawing on existing good practice and guidance from the NHS and third sector. This has been distributed nationally, helping to up-skill staff around the subject of self-harm and outline the importance of providing tailored, meaningful support.<\/p>
We know the risk of suicide can be higher for prisoners in the early days of custody including for those held on remand. Mandatory actions and guidance for staff on the early days in custody includes the requirement to assess all prisoners of any risk that they might harm themselves on arrival. A staff toolkit helps staff to assess risk effectively and promote supportive conversations in the early days of custody.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4941", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Bellamy"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Bellamy"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-03-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-03-06T12:44:12.97Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-02-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Prisons: Suicide"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government what guidance they provide to prisons to support the prevention of suicide in prisons in England and Wales.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2018", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Hylton"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Hylton"} ], "uin" : "HL5680"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1587294", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1587294/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government is committed to the protection of the public and the effective management of offenders. Prisoners serving indeterminate sentences, both those serving life and Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP), who have completed their tariff will be released only when the Parole Board concludes that it is no longer necessary on the grounds of public protection for them to remain confined. Where the Parole Board decide not to release the prisoner, the prisoner\u2019s suitability for release must be considered at least every two years thereafter.<\/p>
In line with the Justice Select Committee\u2019s report into the continued existence of the IPP sentence, the Government committed to update and refresh the HM Prison and Probation Service\u2019s IPP Action Plan, to which may be attributed the very significant numbers of IPP prisoners released for the first time in each year since 2016. The Action Plan already mandates a formal case review led by HMPPS Psychology Services for every IPP prisoner who has spent five years in prison following tariff expiry and has never been released.<\/p>
The Action Plan remains the embodiment of the Government\u2019s aim to reduce the total IPP prisoner population \u2013 that is the combined figure of those who have never been released and those returned to prison following recall. Specifically, by way of response to the Committee\u2019s assertion that offenders serving an IPP sentence on licence in the community are being recalled unnecessarily, the Government has requested that the Chief Inspector of Probation carry out an independent thematic inspection on the proportionality of recall decisions made. In cases where \u2018other\u2019 is listed as a reason for recall, there is always at least one additional, specific reason as recorded in the published recall statistics.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4941", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Bellamy"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Bellamy"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-03-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "HL5679"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-03-06T12:39:49.593Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-02-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Prison Sentences"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to reduce the number of persons imprisoned for reasons of public protection; if so, how they will achieve this; and whether they will require that reasons for recalls to prison need additional detail rather than being classified as \u201cother\u201d.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2018", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Hylton"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Hylton"} ], "uin" : "HL5681"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1562904", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1562904/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
As with all establishments where there is a current or future need to fill vacancies, there is a recruitment campaign open for prison officers at HMP Wandsworth. To manage vacancies, establishments are also able to cover these through payment plus (an overtime payment for prison officers). Where staffing levels are being impacted by reasons other than vacancies, including sickness and restricted duties, this is being managed by Governors in line with national policy. If any establishments feel that their staffing levels will impact on stability, they can apply for extra resource through submitting a business case to the HMPPS Operational Resource and Stability Panel.<\/p>
The Senior Leadership Team at HMP Wandsworth are committed to creating a regime that will allow prisoners to spend longer out of their cells and in work and education-related activities, which is essential to effective rehabilitation.<\/p>
Similarly to other London-based buildings where a large number of people live and work, HMP Wandsworth takes steps to support the control of rats and other vermin, with Rentokil (a specialist hygiene provider for prisons and police) regularly visiting to implement control measures. This is supplemented with regular cleaning parties who are deployed to keep rubbish to a minimum and focused waste management at the prison, which supports rubbish disposal of internal and external waste. The prison has also implemented a new window project to limit the ability to throw rubbish outside. These measures are underpinned by a committed focus on creating a hygienic environment for prisoners.<\/p>
There is an ongoing Government Facility Services Limited project to replace the roof and refurbish the prison\u2019s chapel. Religious services will continue to be catered for across the prison whilst the work is underway, which is due to be completed in 2024.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4941", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Bellamy"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Bellamy"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-01-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-01-04T16:23:13.87Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2022-12-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Wandsworth Prison: Staff"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to restore a full staff level at His Majesty\u2019s Prison Wandsworth to prevent 23-hour lock-ups, eliminate rats, and restore the operation of the prison chapel.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2018", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Hylton"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Hylton"} ], "uin" : "HL4420"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1545100", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1545100/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The number of public sector prison staff declined from 46,889 FTE as of 31 March 2009 to 31,232 FTE as of 31 March 2017. This was a decline of 15,657 (33%).<\/p>
Since then, the number of public sector prison staff has increased to stand at 35,575 FTE as of 30 September 2022; an increase of 14% since March 2017.<\/p>
Over the last few years, the MoJ has invested in a number of initiatives to improve the recruitment and retention of operational and non-Operational staff across the prison estate. Whilst we face some difficulties in areas of the country where labour markets are particularly challenging, we continue to deliver recruitment marketing campaigns on a variety of channels for all prisons.<\/p>
The recent pay award has been seen as a positive move to help retain and recruit new staff. We will be monitoring the impact of the 2022/23 pay award which reflects a significant investment to uplift and reform the prison pay structure. We are continuing to use localised market supplements to increase prison officer pay in 18 sites.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4941", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Bellamy"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Bellamy"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-12-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-12-07T14:44:23.887Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2022-11-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Prison Service: Staff"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government whether the number of prison staff declined between 2009 and 2017; if so, by what percentage the number declined; and whether any such decline has since been redressed.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2018", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Hylton"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Hylton"} ], "uin" : "HL3701"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1545101", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1545101/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "