Chair comment: Justice Committee Chair Andy Slaughter MP responds to Government’s written statement on prison capacity
12 December 2024
Commenting on the Justice Secretary’s written statement on the 10-year Prison Capacity Strategy and Annual Statement, Justice Committee Chair Andy Slaughter MP said:
“We welcome the Government’s publication today of its long-awaited first annual prison capacity statement, and its 10-year strategy to increase capacity. Given the crumbling condition of much of the prison estate, it is right that the Government is pressing ahead with the delivery of new prisons.
“We agree also, that expanding capacity addresses only half of the problem, and that the outcome of the Sentencing Review will be vital in stemming the future demand for prison places.
“Steps to improve the rehabilitation and resettlement of prisoners are also vital to end the cycle of reoffending, and we hope the Committee’s recently launched inquiry will make recommendations in this respect.
“It was disappointing that the Government did not provide an opportunity for MPs to scrutinise this important policy announcement, so we look forward to questioning the Lord Chancellor about it when she appears before the Committee next week.”
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