That this House expresses concern that re-categorisation of HM Prison Morton Hall and HM Prison Drake Hall from semi-open to closed prisons has left no semi-open prisons in the whole of the female estate; notes that women who were categorised as semi-open have been re-categorised as closed for no apparent reason other than the lack of a semi-open prison to hold them and that women who are currently classed as semi-open are being held in security conditions higher than necessary; further notes that in effect a security categorisation that exists for men does not now exist for women and that no women entering prison are being given semi-open categorisation; believes this is having a negative impact on women's progression through the prison system, particularly in light of the fact that there are only two open prisons in the women's estate, with a combined capacity of 228 prisoners; further believes that this has a negative impact on the families of women in prison as it limits family leave in preparation for resettlement; and calls on the Government to review its decision.

That this House expresses concern that re-categorisation of HM Prison Morton Hall and HM Prison Drake Hall from semi-open to closed prisons has left no semi-open prisons in the whole of the female estate; notes that women who were categorised as semi-open have been re-categorised as closed for no apparent...

That this House believes that the record high prison population and reducing budgets have undermined the National Offender Management Service's objective of tackling re-offending; considers that this undermines the ability of the Probation Service to function effectively; and calls on the Government to create separate operational structures, with their own directorates, for both prisons and probation.

That this House believes that the record high prison population and reducing budgets have undermined the National Offender Management Service's objective of tackling re-offending; considers that this undermines the ability of the Probation Service to function effectively; and calls on the Government to create separate operational structures, with their own...

That this House notes that there are 14 women's prisons, four purpose-built female juvenile units and seven mother and baby units in England; further notes that over the last 10 years there has been a significant increase in the numbers of women in prison from an average of 1,560 in 1993 to around 4,463 in June 2006; is concerned at the large number of women in prison, given that women tend to commit less crime and their offences are generally less serious; is alarmed at reports from the Prison Officers' Association of the high occurrence of mental illness within the female estate, with approximately 30 per cent. of female prisoners self-injuring each year; and therefore calls on the Government to urgently reassess all the factors, including sentencing policies as recommended by the Corston Report, which have led to the large increase in female prisoners and to ensure that female offenders receive the appropriate emotional, psychological and medical support whilst in prison and following release.

That this House notes that there are 14 women's prisons, four purpose-built female juvenile units and seven mother and baby units in England; further notes that over the last 10 years there has been a significant increase in the numbers of women in prison from an average of 1,560 in...

That this House notes the critical reports by HM Inspector of Prisons and the Prison Ombudsman on Rye Hill private prison; further notes the outcome of the inquest on Ukrainian Aleksey Baranovsky who slowly bled to death in his cell despite being on suicide watch; further notes the coroner's description of his treatment as shameful and appalling; also notes the jury's recording of a catalogue of failures, including the prison not following policy on suicide prevention, not arranging an urgent psychiatric assessment, and not providing a treatment plan; further notes the criticism of Angela Pereira, the healthcare manager at Rye Hill, and other staff including the responsible doctor, Colin West; further notes that the Ombudsman recommended that these staff be investigated and, if necessary, referred to professional bodies, but their employer, private healthcare contractor Primecare, decided autonomously to take no action; considers that the Minister or Offender Management Service should arrange such referrals; further considers that all prisoners should have the right to receive NHS treatment in an NHS setting; further notes that the family of Mr Baranovsky had the indignity of it taking six months to notify them of his death and that they had to collect his remains from their local post office; and considers that the experiment of operating private prisons for profit and private healthcare for profit within prisons has failed.

That this House notes the critical reports by HM Inspector of Prisons and the Prison Ombudsman on Rye Hill private prison; further notes the outcome of the inquest on Ukrainian Aleksey Baranovsky who slowly bled to death in his cell despite being on suicide watch; further notes the coroner's description...

That this House notes that there are 14 women's prisons, four purpose built female juvenile units and seven mother and baby units in England; further notes that over the last 10 years there has been a significant increase rise in the number of women in prison from an average of 1,560 in 1993 to around 4,463 in June 2006; is concerned at the large number of women in prison given that women tend to commit less crime and their offences are generally less serious; is alarmed at reports from the Prison Officers' Association of the high occurrence of mental illness within the female estate, with approximately 30 per cent. of female prisoners self-injuring each year; and therefore calls on the Government to reassess urgently all the factors, including sentencing policies as recommended by the Corston Report, which have led to the large increase in female prisoners and to ensure that female offenders receive the appropriate emotional, psychological and medical support whilst in prison and following release.

That this House notes that there are 14 women's prisons, four purpose built female juvenile units and seven mother and baby units in England; further notes that over the last 10 years there has been a significant increase rise in the number of women in prison from an average of...

That this House notes with concern the number of assaults on prison officers, with a 58 per cent. increase in attacks on officers in male prisons and a 121 per cent. increase in assaults in female prisons between 2000 and 2006; recognises the valuable work done by prison officers; pays tribute to their skill and professionalism which extends well beyond maintaining peace and order within a prison as officers have specialist skills working with prisoners on rehabilitation programmes, offender management and other courses; highlights the concern of the Prison Officers Association about the proposed budget cuts within the prison service and the effect this will have on staffing levels; and calls on the Government to address the issue of assaults on prison officers and ensure that staffing levels are adequate within prisons to ensure that safety is never put at risk.

That this House notes with concern the number of assaults on prison officers, with a 58 per cent. increase in attacks on officers in male prisons and a 121 per cent. increase in assaults in female prisons between 2000 and 2006; recognises the valuable work done by prison officers; pays...