Ministers questioned on use of adult custodial remand
21 October 2022
The Justice Committee holds the final session of its inquiry into the role of adult custodial remand in the Criminal Justice System on Tuesday 25 October when they take evidence from Justice Ministers, Rob Butler MP and Gareth Johnson MP, and Chief Inspector of Prisons, Charlie Taylor.
- Watch Parliament TV: The role of adult custodial remand in the criminal justice system
- Inquiry: The role of adult custodial remand in the criminal justice system
- Justice Committee
Witnesses
Tuesday 25 October 2022
At 2.30pm
- Charlie Taylor, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons
At 3.30pm
- Gareth Johnson MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Justice, Ministry of Justice
- Rob Butler MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Prisons and Probation, Ministry of Justice
- Claire Fielder, Director of Youth Justice and Offender Policy, Ministry of Justice
- Michelle Jarman-Howe, Chief Operating Officer Prisons, HM Prison and Probation Service
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of defendants placed on custodial remand whilst awaiting trial. At the end of December 2021, the remand population was 12,780, the second highest quarterly figure since 2011. In March 2021, a third of remand prisoners had been held beyond the legal limit ahead of trial. Placing prisoners on remand also increases the pressure on the wider prison system, leading to overcrowding and declining conditions in the prison estate.
The Committee will question the Chief Inspector of Prisons on the current use of remand and the impact on the wider prison system. The Committee will then question the ministers responsible for prisons and courts in the Ministry of Justice on their plans to address the growing use of remand. It will also look at what more can be done to support those on remand, while in prison and on release.
Further information
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