Stafford

The longstanding and ongoing issues with legionella in the prison places all prisoners, particularly the elderly and vulnerable prisoners at increased risk of health problems. Whilst the Governor and senior leadership team continue to do their utmost to manage this risk, the IMB feel a permanent solution is long overdue. Can the minister identify and authorise capital funding to address this long-standing issue?

A number of improvements to the infrastructure at HMP Stafford have been completed including resurfacing roads and pathways and the replacement of plate exchangers on E and F wings. Work is also due to commence on replacing the roofing to the industries and estates complex and upgrading CCTV on D wing and in the Segregation Unit. Additional funding has been requested to enable refurbishments to showers on E and F wings, one of the boiler houses and an aspirator system upgrade. Unfortunately, demands for maintenance are much greater than the available funding. Therefore, once a bid for a project is received, HMPPS has to prioritise works very carefully to make best use of that funding, focusing on risk to life and risk to capacity and decency.

As HMP Stafford is currently one of, if not, the oldest fully functioning prison in England and much of its infrastructure does not meet modern standards, will the Prison Service allocate additional funding to enable the facilities to better meet the needs of its prisoners?

The recent relocation of the SSG from the portacabin has resulted in the loss of access to outdoor space and the absence of adequate natural light in the new facility. How will the Governor address the reduction in facilities allocated to older prisoners?

As HMP Stafford is currently one of, if not, the oldest fully functioning prison in England and much of its infrastructure does not meet modern standards, will the Prison Service allocate additional funding to enable the facilities to better meet the needs of its prisoners?

The recent relocation of the SSG from the portacabin has resulted in the loss of access to outdoor space and the absence of adequate natural light in the new facility. How will the Governor address the reduction in facilities allocated to older prisoners?

The Board recognises the Minister’s previous and well documented support for securing post release employment for large numbers of prison leavers. It is acknowledged that prisoners leaving HMP Stafford can face additional challenges due to their offending history. How does the Minister plan to address this issue in order to give the prisoners released from HMP Stafford a better chance of successfully reintegrating into society and thereby reduce their risk of reoffending?

It is important that released prisoners have the best chance of reintegrating into society. Gaining employment is a key factor in reducing reoffending, but I recognise that this can be challenging. The HMPPS Creating Future Opportunities programme delivers additional resettlement services in custody and the community to support individuals into mainstream opportunities, particularly in relation to employment, training and education for those individuals who experience challenges or face barriers preventing them from successfully reintegrating into their local community. Locally, HMP Stafford has been working with its Regional Employment Lead to welcome businesses to the prison to help break the stigma around PCOSOs and demonstrate the valuable skills, experience and positive work ethic they can offer. HMP Stafford will continue to commission qualifications and vocational skills through the new Prison Education Service contracts to help prisoners learn valuable skills and gain academic and vocational qualifications to improve their employment prospects. Additionally, I am pleased to report that HMP Stafford have engaged with the ‘Entrepreneurs Unlocked’ company, to explore how to support self-employment for PCoSOs.

The Board recognises the Minister’s previous and well documented support for securing post release employment for large numbers of prison leavers. It is acknowledged that prisoners leaving HMP Stafford can face additional challenges due to their offending history. How does the Minister plan to address this issue in order to give the prisoners released from HMP Stafford a better chance of successfully reintegrating into society and thereby reduce their risk of reoffending?

At present prisoners convicted of sexual offences (PCoSOs) are unable to be considered for release on temporary licence (ROTL). This national policy negatively impacts on prisoners at HMP Stafford from integrating into society and finding suitable employment prior to release. Would the Minister consider commissioning a review of the ROTL national policy and its application to PCoSOs?

I acknowledge the Board’s concerns regarding resettlement support for prisoners convicted of sexual offences (PCoSOs) and the application of Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL). While ROTL remains a key resettlement tool, its availability is determined by a prisoner’s sentence type and assessed risk level. Most PCoSOs are subject to more restrictive ROTL arrangements due to Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements eligibility, risk assessments, or sentence classification. I will continue to assess the impact of current policy frameworks and remain open to considering whether further examination of this area may be appropriate to support rehabilitation outcomes.

At present prisoners convicted of sexual offences (PCoSOs) are unable to be considered for release on temporary licence (ROTL). This national policy negatively impacts on prisoners at HMP Stafford from integrating into society and finding suitable employment prior to release. Would the Minister consider commissioning a review of the ROTL national policy and its application to PCoSOs?