Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 14
14
Deferred
Set out plans to simplify HMPPS contract management and reduce governor burden.
Recommendation
In response to this report, the Government should provide the Committee with a clear and comprehensive overview of how HMPPS is managing its current contracts, including steps being taken to simplify procurement processes and improve contract flexibility. It should also set out how it will reduce the burden of contract management on Governors and ensure that voluntary and specialist providers are not disadvantaged in the commissioning process. (Recommendation, Paragraph 66)
Government Response Summary
The government's response details measures in the Sentencing Bill to address the prison remand population and improve bail use, completely bypassing the recommendation on HMPPS's contract management and procurement processes.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
64. We are making changes through the Sentencing Bill to the legislation which guides how custodial remand is used by the courts, which will help to address the unsustainable growth in the prison remand population. 65. These changes amend the “no real prospect” test in the Bail Act 1976 to align the test with the presumption to suspend short sentences so that fewer exceptions to the presumption in favour of bail will apply where the court considers that a sentence of immediate custody is unlikely. 66. While the level of risk posed to the public is an important consideration for the courts, there are also occasions where remand is necessary to protect the integrity of the criminal court process to ensure justice can be delivered. We believe that these exceptions to bail must continue to be available to the courts. 67. We will continue to work closely with our partners in the criminal justice system to prepare for the implementation of the Bill, and subsequently to monitor the impact on the adult remand population. 68. In tandem, we are continuing to take steps to raise awareness of—and remove barriers to—the use of bail as an alternative to custodial remand where appropriate. These include the continued roll out of a national, dedicated, and pro-active Bail Information Service (BIS).