Asked by: John Lamont (Conservative - Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking ensure that people convicted of charges related to grooming gangs receive adequate sentences.
Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip
The Government is determined to ensure that grooming gang members face the toughest possible sentences for their crimes.
This is why we are introducing a new statutory aggravating factor requiring courts to consider grooming when sentencing for specified sexual offences committed against those under 18.
Asked by: Lord Allen of Kensington (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many people serving an imprisonment for public protection sentence have taken their own lives while (1) in prison, and (2) out on release.
Answered by Lord Timpson - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
There were 92 self-inflicted deaths of people serving an Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentence while in prison custody in the period from the introduction of the sentence in 2005 to December 2025. There were 44 such deaths of people serving an IPP on licence in the community between April 2019 and March 2025.
Data on community‑based deaths is only available for this more restricted period because:
Before April 2019 information was collected through manual returns, and identifying individuals serving an IPP sentence would require matching thousands of records, which cannot be done without disproportionate cost; and
Data for the period from April 2025 to March 2026 is scheduled for publication in October 2026.
The category of self-inflicted deaths includes a broader range of deaths than suicide. Definitions for apparent causes of death are provided in the ‘Safety in Custody’ and ‘Deaths of Offenders in the Community’ statistical publications. For breakdowns by year and other accompanying notes, please refer to the tables below. Information on self-inflicted deaths in prison by IPP prisoners are published annually in the detailed deaths tables accompanying the ‘Safety in Custody’ statistics (see Table 1_7 of Deaths in prison custody 1978 to 2025 for the most recent data, as provided here).
Table 1: Self-inflicted deaths in prison custody by Imprisonment for Public Protection sentence type since 2005, England and Wales
Imprisonment for Public Protection | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 |
0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 5 | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
| |
4 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 9 | 4 | 2 |
|
Data sources and quality
Deaths figures are derived from the HMPPS Deaths in Prison Custody database. As classification of deaths may change following inquests or as new information emerges, numbers may change from time to time.
Notes
(1) Deaths in prison custody figures include all deaths of prisoners arising from incidents during prison custody. They include deaths of prisoners while released on temporary license (ROTL) for medical reasons but exclude other types of ROTL where the state has less direct responsibility.
(2) Due to the number of deaths that remain unclassified (awaiting further information) in recent years, and the latest year particularly, caution should be used when comparing with earlier periods.
(3) Apparent cause is based on the HMPPS classification of deaths in prison custody. The self-inflicted deaths category includes a wider range of deaths than suicides. When comparing figures with other sources it is important to determine whether the narrower suicide or broader self-inflicted deaths approach is in use.
(4) All classifications of deaths remain provisional until confirmed at inquest.
(5) In addition to deaths in prison custody which occur in hospitals, hospices or nursing homes, a small proportion will occur while in an ambulance on the way to hospital, while on escort.
(6) An indeterminate sentence of Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) was introduced in 2005. It was intended for high-risk prisoners considered ‘dangerous’ but whose offence did not merit a life sentence. The number of prisoners held on this sentence increased initially and the increase was offset by reductions elsewhere.
(7) Recalled prisoners are those held in custody for breaching the terms of their licence conditions following release into the community. Recalled prisoners are not shown separately within the deaths tables, they are recorded against their initial sentence type.
(8) Caution should be used when comparing the number of deaths from one year to the next due to low numbers which are subject to fluctuation.
Table 2: Self-inflicted deaths of offenders serving an Imprisonment for Public Protection sentence supervised on licence in the community, financial year 2019/20 to 2024/25, England and Wales (1) (2) (3) (4) | ||||||
| 2019/20 | 2020/21 | 2021/22 | 2022/23 | 2023/24 | 2024/25 (p) |
Community | 6 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 7 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
p) The 2024/25 figures are provisional and may be updated in future publications to account for any changes or additions to the data since they were originally collected
(1) Apparent causes for years prior to 2023/24 are based on data reported through annual returns (prior to 2020/21 only) or the national Delius case management system and have not been independently verified. From 2023/24 onwards, cause data sourced from Delius have been independently verified by the General Register Office (GRO) and updated accordingly. The latest provisional data for 2024/25 remain based on apparent causes, i.e., they have not been independently verified. For further details about the GRO verification process, refer to the guide to deaths of offenders supervised in the community statistics.
(2) The reporting period for these statistics (financial year 1 April to 31 March) relates to when the death occurred.
(3) A new set of death classifications was implemented on 1 April 2022 and, as such, figures for 2022/23 onwards are not comparable to those presented for previous years. The category of 'self-inflicted death' up to 31 March 2022 includes any death of a person who has apparently taken his or her own life, irrespective of intent. The category of 'self-inflicted death' from 1 April 2022 includes any death of a person at their own hand, including where intent is undetermined. This includes some drug poisonings (e.g., where a suicide note is found or the circumstances are suspicious) but not drug poisonings which appear to have been the accidental result of consumption for another purpose. Refer to the guide to deaths of offenders supervised in the community statistics for further details about the new set of classifications.
(4) In June 2025, a data sharing agreement was established with the General Register Office (GRO) to provide access to official cause of death data following the registration of a death. This information is then used to update the provisional categorisation of deaths on the probation case management system. Official causes of death from the GRO are only available for deaths occurring from 1 April 2023 onwards. Also, the registration of a death can be delayed when a case is referred to the coroner and, as such, the official cause of death from the GRO is not available for deaths that occurred in the most recent period. Comparisons across cause of death categories over time should, therefore, not be made, as periods prior to 1 April 2023 and the most recent reporting period are based on provisional classifications, which are not directly comparable to GRO-verified data.
Data sources and quality
The figures in this table have been drawn from administrative IT systems which, as with any large-scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.
Source: National Delius case management system.
Asked by: Calum Miller (Liberal Democrat - Bicester and Woodstock)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to reform the family court.
Answered by Alex Davies-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
Today, the Deputy Prime Minister announced national rollout of the Child Focused Model, formerly known as Pathfinder, over the next three years.
We are investing £17 million next year to expand the model across courts in the North East, North West and East Midlands so more children and families can benefit.
Asked by: Lord Kempsell (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask His Majesty's Government (1) how many acts of passive or active concerted indiscipline have taken place at HMP Whitemoor in the last 6 months, (2) on which dates they took place, (3) what injuries to staff or prisoners resulted, if any, and (4) what disciplinary or police action has been taken against perpetrators.
Answered by Lord Timpson - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
Three incidents recorded as concerted indiscipline have taken place at HMP Whitemoor in the last six months: on 6, 12 and 17 February.
Six staff responding to one of the incidents reported minor injuries that did not require hospitalisation. No prisoners or staff were injured in the other incidents.
The three incidents resulted in a total of 12 adjudications, 10 of which were referred to the police for investigation. 11 prisoners were relocated to another wing, and 10 were downgraded to a basic regime under the Incentives Policy Framework.
Asked by: Baroness Royall of Blaisdon (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask His Majesty's Government what training Prison and Probation Service staff receive on stalking and stalkers.
Answered by Lord Timpson - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
Domestic Abuse Awareness and Stalking Awareness learning is available to all those working in HMPPS.
Training on stalking is embedded within probation practitioners’ mandatory domestic abuse and safeguarding learning. All probation staff complete Domestic Abuse Awareness learning every three years, with practitioners undertaking additional facilitated, advanced and specialist learning, including on stalking and Spousal Assault Risk Assessment, to support effective risk identification and management.
Alongside this learning there are general continuous professional development resources on stalking (such as stalking workbook, videos) that can be accessed by staff both in the Prison and Probation Service.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of trends in the cost of imprisonment in England and Wales.
Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip
The cost of running prisons has generally increased over the past decade, with particularly sharp changes during the Covid-19 period. Analysis of the published Prison Unit Costs series shows that average running costs per place have risen by around 5% per year over the period from 2014/15 to 2023/24. The trend is not linear, with the most pronounced volatility observed between 2020/21 and 2022/23, reflecting the exceptional operational impacts of the Covid19 pandemic.
In assessing these trends, it is important to note that cost per place reflects both total running expenditure and the level of certified prison capacity in any given year. As a result, changes in the availability of prison places and population pressures can affect unit costs over time.
The published statistics (Prison and Probation Performance Statistics - GOV.UK) do not provide a detailed breakdown of running cost components. However, accompanying official commentary has consistently noted that movements in prison unit costs over time reflect a combination of factors, including investment in frontline staffing and prison maintenance to support safety and the effective operation of the prison estate, alongside wider operational and capacity pressures.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate he has made of the prison population in England and Wales over the next five years.
Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip
On 29 January 2026, we published our second annual statement on prison capacity, which sets out the prison projections up to November 2032 and our assessment of them: Ministry of Justice – Annual Statement on Prison Capacity: 2025.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of trends in the level of prison population in England and Wales.
Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip
On 29 January 2026, we published our second annual statement on prison capacity, which sets out the prison projections up to November 2032 and our assessment of them: Ministry of Justice – Annual Statement on Prison Capacity: 2025.
Asked by: Tom Hayes (Labour - Bournemouth East)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he can release the data for payouts by HM Prison and Probation Service for funerals for prisoners who died in custody from 2010-2024.
Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip
The information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
Asked by: Paul Holmes (Conservative - Hamble Valley)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what guidance HM Prison and Probation Service has issued on political restrictions for Crown Servants by grade, including restrictions on standing for (a) local and (b) Parliamentary elections.
Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip
HM Prison and Probation Service employees are civil servants and are bound by the Civil Service Code, which requires them to serve the government of the day with integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality.
In HMPPS, this is reinforced through the Outside Activities Policy and the Conduct and Discipline Policy. These policies set out the political restrictions that apply to Crown Servants and require employees to seek permission before taking part in certain political activities. The level of restriction varies by grade and role.
Employees must not undertake political activity while on duty, in uniform or on official premises. Employees who wish to stand for election to local authorities or to Parliament must seek prior approval in line with the Civil Service Management Code and HMPPS policies.
Employees are signposted to guidance on conduct for civil servants at each election period and during party conference season to ensure clear expectations of behaviour.