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To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to penalise companies which repeatedly take action against individuals who do not lodge a defence and who are subsequently discovered not to have received any notification of the relevant County Court action.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to penalise companies which repeatedly take action against individuals who do not lodge a defence and who are subsequently discovered not to have received any notification of the relevant County Court action.
On 23 December the Ministry of Justice announced a consultation on ways to protect people from having their credit ratings affected despite being unaware of the claims made against them. The consultation, which will be launched in the spring will consider how the current system can be improved and reinforced to ensure that companies take all reasonable steps before they are able to apply to a court for a claim. We will also examine to what extent unscrupulous debt agencies have contributed to the problem.
To accompany the consultation the Ministry of Justice will also launch a new public advice campaign on how to protect people unaware of their debts and will remind people of the important of informing companies of their new address.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to ensure that companies which sue individuals for non-payment of monies in the county courts have taken adequate steps to ensure that they have the correct and up-to-date address for the person against whom they are taking action, in those...
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to ensure that companies which sue individuals for non-payment of monies in the county courts have taken adequate steps to ensure that they have the correct and up-to-date address for the person against whom they are taking action, in those...
On 23 December the Ministry of Justice announced a consultation on ways to protect people from having their credit ratings affected despite being unaware of the claims made against them. The consultation, which will be launched in the spring will consider how the current system can be improved and reinforced to ensure that companies take all reasonable steps before they are able to apply to a court for a claim. We will also examine to what extent unscrupulous debt agencies have contributed to the problem.
To accompany the consultation the Ministry of Justice will also launch a new public advice campaign on how to protect people unaware of their debts and will remind people of the important of informing companies of their new address.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to strengthen procedures designed to protect those against whom costs are awarded without their knowing that a case is proceeding in the County Court, resulting in a County Court Judgment being registered on their credit record.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to strengthen procedures designed to protect those against whom costs are awarded without their knowing that a case is proceeding in the County Court, resulting in a County Court Judgment being registered on their credit record.
On 23 December the Ministry of Justice announced a consultation on ways to protect people from having their credit ratings affected despite being unaware of the claims made against them. The consultation, which will be launched in the spring will consider how the current system can be improved and reinforced to ensure that companies take all reasonable steps before they are able to apply to a court for a claim. We will also examine to what extent unscrupulous debt agencies have contributed to the problem.
To accompany the consultation the Ministry of Justice will also launch a new public advice campaign on how to protect people unaware of their debts and will remind people of the important of informing companies of their new address.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the risk of injury and fatalities resulting from restraint techniques currently used on minors in young offender institutions and secure training centres; whether they will publish the full findings of their assessment; and what steps they are taking to...
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the risk of injury and fatalities resulting from restraint techniques currently used on minors in young offender institutions and secure training centres; whether they will publish the full findings of their assessment; and what steps they are taking to...
Restraint should only be used as a last resort, where there is a risk of harm, and where it is absolutely necessary to do so and no other form of intervention is possible or appropriate. Every incident of restraint is reviewed by the establishment. This includes looking at whether any lessons can be learned for the future.
We will consider publication of the risk assessment for MMPR as part of the Annual MMPR syllabus review.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the report by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons on HM Prison Hindley describing the regime as "possibly the very worst" that inspectors had ever seen in this type of prison, what action they are taking to (1) reduce the hours during...
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the report by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons on HM Prison Hindley describing the regime as "possibly the very worst" that inspectors had ever seen in this type of prison, what action they are taking to (1) reduce the hours during...
A detailed action plan is being developed to address the weaknesses identified by the Chief Inspector and will be published in Spring 2017 on the Inspectorate’s web site.
As set out in the Prison Safety and Reform White Paper, this Government will be investing over £100 million to recruit an additional 2,500 frontline staff across the prison estate by the end of 2018. This phased approach is to ensure officers are successfully inducted and can learn from experienced officers. From April 2017, we are giving prison governors the power and budget to determine how their prisons are run and the authority to do their own workforce planning, decide what staffing structures best meet their local needs and deciding how to deploy extra staff in prisons. Governors will also be fully responsible for the education delivered so that they can purchase services most appropriate to their establishment.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of drug use in prisons and its impact on violence levels.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of drug use in prisons and its impact on violence levels.
As the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman has said, the rise in dangerous psychoactive substances has been a game-changer in terms of its impact on levels of safety in prisons. The Justice Secretary has been clear that levels of violence in prisons are unacceptable and has announced a major overhaul of the prison system including 2,500 extra frontline prison officers. These extra officers and new safety measures will help us crack down on the toxic cocktail of drugs, drones and mobile phones that are in our prisons. Our measures will create prisons that are places of safety and reform, giving prisoners the education and skills they need to turn their back on crime for good.
We take a zero tolerance approach to drugs in our prisons. We have rolled out tests for new psychoactive substances, and have trained 300 dogs to detect these drugs. We have introduced tough new laws which will see those who smuggle packages over prison walls face up to two years in prison. And every prisoner will have a dedicated officer to support them as they quit drugs, get back into learning and break the cycle of reoffending.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government why they have not yet responded to the report by the EU Justice Sub-Committee, The UK, the EU and a British Bill of Rights, published on 9 May 2016; and when they plan to issue the response.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government why they have not yet responded to the report by the EU Justice Sub-Committee, The UK, the EU and a British Bill of Rights, published on 9 May 2016; and when they plan to issue the response.
Sir Oliver Heald wrote on 30 November concerning the Government’s response to Lord Boswell in his capacity as Chair of the EU Committee. In his letter, Sir Oliver said that the Government is currently considering human rights reform in the context of the future constitutional framework of the United Kingdom following the vote to leave the EU, and is therefore not in a position to provide a substantive response to the Sub-Committee’s report at this time.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether there are delays of six months or more in holding inquests in London, and if so, why.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether there are delays of six months or more in holding inquests in London, and if so, why.
Coroners must by law complete an inquest within six months or as soon as practicable after the death has been reported to them. Inquests may take longer than six months due to the complexity of the case or other factors such as the need to wait for other investigations to finish.
Across the eight coroner jurisdictions in London 1,901 inquests were completed within 6 months and 1,747 inquests were completed in six months or more in 2015.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Baroness Goldie on 22 November (HL Deb, col 1839) concerning the revision of the statutory Parole Board Rules so that parole panels can release imprisonment for public protection prisoners without progressing to an oral hearing, what other measures have been...
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Baroness Goldie on 22 November (HL Deb, col 1839) concerning the revision of the statutory Parole Board Rules so that parole panels can release imprisonment for public protection prisoners without progressing to an oral hearing, what other measures have been...
Public protection remains our key priority; however, the recent HMIP report rightly highlights concerns around the management of IPP prisoners.
We have set up a new unit within the Ministry of Justice to improve progression for all IPP prisoners and are working with the Parole Board to improve the efficiency of the parole process.
Examples of the initiatives being taken forward as part of the action plan include the need for other Progression Regimes, in addition to the one at HMP Warren Hill; central case reviews led by psychologists and policy specialists of IPP cases where there has been no progression to open conditions despite two or more post tariff parole reviews; and enhanced case management approaches within both NOMS and the Parole Board.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to include interpreting in public services within the list of excepted professions in Schedule 1 to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to include interpreting in public services within the list of excepted professions in Schedule 1 to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 lists areas of activity and proceedings which are exceptions to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA), meaning that the employer or other relevant body is entitled to ask for, and take into account, certain spent cautions and convictions (as well as unspent convictions).
For inclusion within the Exceptions Order, there has to be compelling evidence that there exists an exceptional reason for the disclosure of the spent caution or conviction. For example, where the role involves working with vulnerable people. For the ROA to continue to be effective in achieving its aims of improving access to employment and rehabilitation, exceptions to the Act should only be sought where there is good reason.
The exceptions take into account the role the person is carrying out and not necessarily the profession or job they do (unless it is proportionate to protect all roles in a job or profession). Interpreters in certain public service positions may already be included in the Exceptions Order, for example those working within prisons or those working in certain roles with children or vulnerable adults. It would not be appropriate or proportionate, however, to introduce a blanket provision to cover all such interpreters.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, following the disturbance at HM Prison Birmingham, what measures they will take to address immediate and short-term issues of safety and security in prisons.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, following the disturbance at HM Prison Birmingham, what measures they will take to address immediate and short-term issues of safety and security in prisons.
My Lords, while we implement our White Paper reforms, which will reduce violence and reoffending, we are continually working to ensure stability across the prison estate. The Prisons Minister chairs daily meetings with senior members of the Prison Service to monitor potential unrest. Where necessary, we are providing governors with immediate targeted support, such as rapid facilities repairs, and we are in the process of recruiting 2,500 additional officers across the estate.
My Lords, while we implement our White Paper reforms, which will reduce violence and reoffending, we are continually working to ensure stability across the prison estate. The Prisons Minister chairs daily meetings with senior members of the Prison Service to monitor potential unrest. Where necessary, we are providing governors with immediate targeted support, such as rapid facilities repairs, and we are in the process of recruiting 2,500 additional officers across the estate.
My Lords, while we implement our White Paper reforms, which will reduce violence and reoffending, we are continually working to ensure stability across the prison estate. The Prisons Minister chairs daily meetings with senior members of the Prison Service to monitor potential unrest. Where necessary, we are providing governors with immediate targeted support, such as rapid facilities repairs, and we are in the process of recruiting 2,500 additional officers across the estate.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, following the disturbance at HM Prison Birmingham, what measures they will take to address immediate and short-term issues of safety and security in prisons.
My Lords, 16 million hours of works were delivered in prisons during the year 2015-16. We want to see more work in prisons, leading to jobs outside prison. More private sector companies now employ ex-offenders than ever before and we are keen to increase the number of employers who can provide valuable vocational work for offenders while in prison. We intend to pursue that objective.
My Lords, 16 million hours of works were delivered in prisons during the year 2015-16. We want to see more work in prisons, leading to jobs outside prison. More private sector companies now employ ex-offenders than ever before and we are keen to increase the number of employers who can provide valuable vocational work for offenders while in prison. We intend to pursue that objective.
I am grateful to the Minister for his response. I am also grateful for the debate and discussion in your Lordships’ House on Monday following the Ministerial Statement. In that debate, a number of noble Lords drew attention to the
importance of purposeful activity for prisoners, including education, training, work and a range of other rehabilitative programmes. Such activities aid reform, encourage positive behaviour and thus enhance safety and security—but they can also be seriously compromised, not least by staffing issues. Can the Minister assure the House that such programmes will be sustained and ideally increased in the short term as well as the long term?
We are clearly of the view that we should seek non-custodial sentences wherever possible—but, of course, the facilities to support that must be available. Criticisms were levelled recently at certain aspects of the probation service, which remains so important to that element of non-custodial work. Nevertheless, we want to see this expanded, maintained and improved.
We are clearly of the view that we should seek non-custodial sentences wherever possible—but, of course, the facilities to support that must be available. Criticisms were levelled recently at certain aspects of the probation service, which remains so important to that element of non-custodial work. Nevertheless, we want to see this expanded, maintained and improved.
My Lords, would the noble and learned Lord agree that a good way of reducing pressure on the Prison Service is to have in place robust and effective non-custodial sentences in which the courts can have confidence? That being so, will the Minister be willing to share with the House the Government’s response to the recent devastatingly critical report on the probation service from the Chief Inspector of Probation?
Both Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons and the independent monitoring board reports reflect the challenges that have built up in our prisons and prison estate over many years. In respect of that, we have now announced a comprehensive programme of reform.
Both Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons and the independent monitoring board reports reflect the challenges that have built up in our prisons and prison estate over many years. In respect of that, we have now announced a comprehensive programme of reform.
My Lords, serious concerns were raised by the independent monitoring board in respect of conditions at Her Majesty’s Prison Birmingham. Were the concerns in that report flagged up to Ministers? What consideration was given to reports from other independent monitoring boards highlighting similar conditions in other prisons? Finally, are Ministers considering giving greater independence and authority to independent monitoring boards, perhaps by making them accountable through Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons?
My Lords, I am not able to answer that question immediately but I will undertake to write to my noble friend with the relevant figure.
My Lords, I am not able to answer that question immediately but I will undertake to write to my noble friend with the relevant figure.
How many writers in residence are there in prisons?
I am obliged to the noble Lord. Public protection remains a key priority in the context of how we deal with IPP prisoners. These people have been sentenced for offences involving serious violence and serious sexual crime. We set up a new unit within the Ministry of Justice to tackle the backlog with respect to IPP prisoners and we are working with the Parole Board to improve the efficiency of that process. We have an enhanced case-management system. We are diverting recall cases away from the Parole Board so that it can focus on reviewing IPP prisoners. In the past year, 38% of IPP prisoners who attended oral hearings completed by the Parole Board went on to be released. So matters are improving. Indeed, in the last year we released 512 IPP prisoners from custody—the largest number so far—bringing the total figure below 4,000.
I am obliged to the noble Lord. Public protection remains a key priority in the context of how we deal with IPP prisoners. These people have been sentenced for offences involving serious violence and serious sexual crime. We set up a new unit within the Ministry of Justice to tackle the backlog with respect to IPP prisoners and we are working with the Parole Board to improve the efficiency of that process. We have an enhanced case-management system. We are diverting recall cases away from the Parole Board so that it can focus on reviewing IPP prisoners. In the past year, 38% of IPP prisoners who attended oral hearings completed by the Parole Board went on to be released. So matters are improving. Indeed, in the last year we released 512 IPP prisoners from custody—the largest number so far—bringing the total figure below 4,000.
Will Ministers address the urgent need to deal with the release of IPP prisoners who are beyond their tariff? What use is being made of the reserve list, which Mr Grayling set up in 2014 when he was Secretary of State, of former prison officers and others who could be called in during situations such as this?
My Lords, we have already made an appropriate appointment for the carrying out of a full investigation of the incident at Birmingham prison, and that investigation is now proceeding. I pause to allude back to the question from the noble Lord, Lord Beith, a few moments ago. He also asked about the reserve list of prison officers. That is maintained and relied upon. I apologise for omitting that from my previous answer.
My Lords, we have already made an appropriate appointment for the carrying out of a full investigation of the incident at Birmingham prison, and that investigation is now proceeding. I pause to allude back to the question from the noble Lord, Lord Beith, a few moments ago. He also asked about the reserve list of prison officers. That is maintained and relied upon. I apologise for omitting that from my previous answer.
My Lords, when a previous Government formed a judicial inquiry in 1978 to look at the state of prisons, it was largely because of concern over in-house inspection, which was causing public unease. The problems in our prisons will not be solved easily and will not be solved unless the problems facing the probation service, which my noble friend Lord Laming drew attention to, are solved. One of the results of the riots in Strangeways was the masterly report by my noble and learned friend Lord Woolf, which led to much examination of many issues. Can the Minister say whether or not the Government will consider appointing an independent outside observer, rather than the in-house person who has been appointed to examine the Birmingham troubles?
With respect to the noble Baroness, I observe that reference has already been made to Strangeways, one of the worst incidents in any of our prisons in the past 25 years. It did not take place under the tenure of Mr Chris Grayling.
With respect to the noble Baroness, I observe that reference has already been made to Strangeways, one of the worst incidents in any of our prisons in the past 25 years. It did not take place under the tenure of Mr Chris Grayling.
My Lords, the Minister referred to the fact that these difficulties in our prisons have been building up for, he said, many years. As someone who has been interested in penal policy for at least 20 years, I disagree vehemently. This current problem about riots and no access to education in prisons is a direct result of the fact that under Chris Grayling as Secretary of State we had a 30% cut in the prison staff population. How on earth we expect that reduced staffing level to deal with all the problems that are being discussed today is beyond me.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consultations have taken place about the decision that only trials will be heard at Newcastle Magistrates Court, with domestic violence and weekday remands being heard at Bedlington Magistrates Court, some road traffic accident cases at Gateshead Magistrates Court, and all other new cases being...
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consultations have taken place about the decision that only trials will be heard at Newcastle Magistrates Court, with domestic violence and weekday remands being heard at Bedlington Magistrates Court, some road traffic accident cases at Gateshead Magistrates Court, and all other new cases being...
No decision has been made to alter the current listing patterns in Northumbria. The Northumbria Judicial Business Group will consider proposals for changes at their next meeting on 5th January 2017 following which there will be full engagement and consultation with local practitioners in respect of any proposed changes and their impact on court users.