Justice Minister questioned on improving prison conditions
23 May 2022
The Justice Committee takes evidence from prisons minister Victoria Atkins MP on Wednesday 25 May in a one-off session update on prisons.
Purpose of the session
The Committee last took evidence from the Minister in November 2021 following serious concerns being raised about the care and wellbeing of children incarcerated at Oakhill Secure Training Centre. Currently the only facility of this kind remaining open following the closure of Rainsbrook STC, it is operating at reduced capacity following reports of violence, a dilapidated environment and poorly trained staff. The Committee will question the Minister on what progress has been made on improving the situation at Oakhill and the future of the Secure Training Centres in general.
The Committee will also question the Minister on wider issues in the prison system. This will include progress made in ensuring sufficient numbers of adequately trained prison staff and improving the physical prison estate.
Witnesses
- Victoria Atkins MP, Minister of State for Justice, Ministry of Justice
- Phil Copple, Director General of Prisons, Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service
- Claire Fielder, Director of Youth Justice and Offender Policy, Ministry of Justice
Further information
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