Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 5
5
We remain concerned that the maintenance backlog poses a real threat to achieving a safe...
Conclusion
We remain concerned that the maintenance backlog poses a real threat to achieving a safe and secure prison estate able to accommodate future prison populations. The latest spending review settlement included a welcome boost of £4 billion in capital spending to support building new prisons, but only £315 million set aside for maintaining the prison estate. With a maintenance backlog valued in November 2019 at nearly £1 billion, this is significantly below what is required to maintain decent, safe prison places. The Ministry’s one-year settlement for revenue funding does not support the long-term planning that is required, and that we have repeatedly called for, to support the effective management of the prison estate. As we have seen in other sectors, there is a risk that without enough money to address resource pressures, the newly announced capital funding could end up being redirected to plug holes in the budget. The Ministry and HMPPS are confident that enough prison places are planned to meet anticipated demand, but there remains significant uncertainty in the justice system. For example, how new police officers are deployed could have significant implications for the demand for prison places. Recommendation: As part of setting out a long-term strategy for managing the prison estate, the Ministry should explain how it will: • work with others in the system, including the Home Office to refine its understanding of demand for prison places; and Key challenges facing the Ministry of Justice 7 • reduce the maintenance backlog in the existing prison estate
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
5: PAC conclusion: We remain concerned that the maintenance backlog poses a real threat to achieving a safe and secure prison estate able to accommodate future prison populations. 5: PAC recommendation: As part of setting out a long-term strategy for managing the prison estate, the Ministry should explain how it will: • work with others in the system, including the Home Office to refine its understanding of demand for prison places; and • reduce the maintenance backlog in the existing prison estate. 5.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation Target implementation date: Summer 2021 5.2 The department closely monitors prison population forecasts to ensure the prison estate has sufficient capacity to meet future demand, and regularly works with our partners across the criminal justice system (CJS), including the Home Office and Crown Prosecution Service, to coordinate initiatives to reduce crime. 5.3 Work continues to refine the department's understanding of the impacts of recruiting 20,000 additional police officers by 2022-23. MoJ is also on a Shared Outcomes Fund programme to track data at individual police force levels. A joint understanding of this data across CJS partners will be integral to identifying levers to manage demand on the system. 5.4 The department's Spending Review settlement for 2021-22 will provide £315 million in capital funding in this financial year to improve the condition of the existing estate. This welcome increase in capital funding will mean that the programme of critical refurbishment projects across the prison estate can be extended to begin tackling the backlog. 5.5 The department is committed to developing a robust long-term strategy for the prison estate and already has clear and robust plans for capital maintenance and refurbishment. The programme of work for the coming year has a sharp focus on improving safety and compliance across the estate, with additional investment in fire safety which includes investing in replacement accommodation at the sites most critically affected by the rapid removal from service of unsafe and non-compliant modular accommodation units. 5.6 As part of the department's long-term strategy, there will be more pro-active and strategic investments in assets to ensure that key equipment and systems in prisons remain in good working order and to prolong their working life. 5.7 The department remains ambitious to improve rehabilitative outcomes for prisoners, whilst creating a more modern and safer environment for prisoners and staff.