Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
4th Report - Coronavirus (Covid-19): The impact on prisons
Justice Committee
HC 299
Published 27 July 2020
Government response
8th Special Report - Coronavirus (Covid-19): The impact on prisons: Government Response to the Committee’s Fourth Report of Session 2019–21 · published 18 Dec 2020
Recommendations & Conclusions
7
Recommendation
Accepted in Part
Para 28
While the secure video calling service is a temporary measure implemented in direct response to...
Recommendation
While the secure video calling service is a temporary measure implemented in direct response to the changes across the estate resulting from Covid-19, the Committee 28 Coronavirus (Covid-19): The impact on prisons believe there is scope for this service to …
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Government Response Summary
The government states that video calling is available in over 110 prisons and is expected in all establishments by year-end, addressing the expansion. However, it is still exploring the longer-term sustainability of the service and does not provide costings.
Ministry of Justice
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11
Recommendation
Accepted in Part
Para 60
We ask the Government to set out how many prisoners were actively considered for release...
Recommendation
We ask the Government to set out how many prisoners were actively considered for release under the scheme and the principal reasons why just over 5 per cent were in fact released early.
Government Response Summary
The government states that 262 prisoners were released under the ECTR scheme and provides detailed reasons for the lower-than-anticipated numbers, citing public protection and stringent risk assessments. However, it does not specify how many prisoners were actively considered for release.
Ministry of Justice
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13
Recommendation
Accepted in Part
We welcome the sourcing and installation of temporary units to increase headroom across the prison...
Recommendation
We welcome the sourcing and installation of temporary units to increase headroom across the prison estate. We welcome the announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Summer Statement on 8 July that £60m is being made available to …
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Government Response Summary
The government reports that 1,150 temporary units are installed and aims to deliver 1,000 more Rapid Deployment Cells in the 2021/22 financial year. It states it is considering the long-term use of these units but does not provide costings for the full 2,000 units or a specific re-deployment plan.
Ministry of Justice
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15
Recommendation
Accepted in Part
Para 81
We recommend that the MoJ and Youth Custody Service set out how they have responded...
Recommendation
We recommend that the MoJ and Youth Custody Service set out how they have responded to the crisis in the context of the children’s estate and how the specific needs of children have been considered. It is also unclear why …
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Government Response Summary
The government detailed the Youth Custody Service's response to the crisis, including the development of Exceptional Delivery Models, re-commencement of face-to-face education and visits, and a focus on essential activities for children. However, it did not explicitly set out what is being done to address disparities in regimes across the youth estate.
Ministry of Justice
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