Asked by: Adam Dance (Liberal Democrat - Yeovil)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to support victims of (a) rape and (b) sexual abuse in Yeovil constituency (i) through the criminal justice process and (ii) beyond.
Answered by Alex Davies-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
The Department has committed £550 million to victim support services over the next three years – the biggest investment in victim support services to date.
The 42 Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) in England and Wales, including the Avon and Somerset PCC, receive annual grant funding from the Department’s victim and witness budget. Funds are used to commission local practical, emotional, and therapeutic support services for victims of all crime types. This includes ‘core’ funding, allocated at the PCC’s discretion, based on their assessment of local need, and ring-fenced funding for sexual violence and domestic abuse services.
The Department also provides grant funding directly to over 60 specialist organisations through the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Fund (RASASF). Activities support victims to cope with their experiences and move forward with their lives, regardless of whether they report the crime to the police. Three organisations in Avon and Somerset receive RASASF funds, offering tailored support to victims of rape and sexual abuse, including Independent Sexual Violence Advisers (ISVA), counselling, therapy, and groupwork.
The 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line, also commissioned by the Department, provides victims access to vital help and information whenever they need it.
On 1 December 2025, all PCCs and RASASF recipients received confirmation that their grants will be extended for two years until March 2028, with a 2% year-on-year uplift in recognition of the increasing cost of service delivery.
During the criminal justice process, special measures, such as screening the witness from the defendant or giving evidence via live link, are available to victims of rape and sexual offences, who may otherwise feel unable to give evidence.
We are introducing legislation to make access to special measures easier, so eligible victims and witnesses can give their best evidence to the court.
Asked by: Adam Dance (Liberal Democrat - Yeovil)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the provisions in Part Two of the Sentencing Bill on victims of domestic abuse.
Answered by Alex Davies-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
The Sentencing Bill includes a range of measures that will strengthen protections for victims of domestic abuse and ensure the justice system responds robustly to offending. These measures will help to ensure that prisons never run out of space again and dangerous offenders can be kept off the streets.
We are introducing a new judicial finding of domestic abuse at sentencing, which will help ensure domestic abuse offenders are better identified and monitored throughout the system. This will support stronger protections for victims, whether the perpetrator is in custody or in the community.
The Bill also retains a different release point for the most serious violent and sexual offenders and gives judges full discretion to impose immediate custody in cases involving significant risk of harm to an individual – including to protect victims of domestic abuse. In addition, we are imposing tough restriction zones for serious sexual and violent offenders, which limit the movement of perpetrators rather than victims.
These reforms are part of our wider commitment to a justice system that punishes offenders, protects the public, and supports victims – including those affected by domestic abuse.
Asked by: Adam Dance (Liberal Democrat - Yeovil)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she is taking to help improve support for prisoners with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Answered by Nicholas Dakin - Vice Chamberlain (HM Household) (Whip, House of Commons)
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition. NHS England is responsible for healthcare services in prisons in England, including the clinical diagnosis of neurodiverse conditions, and it does not hold this data centrally.
The Ministry of Justice is committed to improving support for neurodivergent people within prisons, including those with ADHD.
Neurodiversity Support Managers have been successfully rolled out across the prison service. These specialist managers provide training and guidance to prison staff, improve processes to identify and support neurodivergent prisoners, and ensure reasonable adjustments are implemented to make prison environments more supportive of neurodiverse needs. Some prisons have also introduced neurodiversity wings or created specific areas which focus on the sensory and mental health requirements for prisoners with complex needs.
The HMPPS Prisoner Education Service will be implementing a new, digitalised Additional Learning Needs tool to be used nationally by Core Education suppliers from October 2025. This tool will identify individual strengths and any additional learning needs, including neurodiversity. It will also suggest practical support strategies and offer guidance relating to potential areas of strength and need.
Asked by: Adam Dance (Liberal Democrat - Yeovil)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate she has made of the number of prisoners with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Answered by Nicholas Dakin - Vice Chamberlain (HM Household) (Whip, House of Commons)
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition. NHS England is responsible for healthcare services in prisons in England, including the clinical diagnosis of neurodiverse conditions, and it does not hold this data centrally.
The Ministry of Justice is committed to improving support for neurodivergent people within prisons, including those with ADHD.
Neurodiversity Support Managers have been successfully rolled out across the prison service. These specialist managers provide training and guidance to prison staff, improve processes to identify and support neurodivergent prisoners, and ensure reasonable adjustments are implemented to make prison environments more supportive of neurodiverse needs. Some prisons have also introduced neurodiversity wings or created specific areas which focus on the sensory and mental health requirements for prisoners with complex needs.
The HMPPS Prisoner Education Service will be implementing a new, digitalised Additional Learning Needs tool to be used nationally by Core Education suppliers from October 2025. This tool will identify individual strengths and any additional learning needs, including neurodiversity. It will also suggest practical support strategies and offer guidance relating to potential areas of strength and need.
Asked by: Adam Dance (Liberal Democrat - Yeovil)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she is taking to help dyslexic inmates improve their (a) reading and writing skills and (b) employment prospects.
Answered by Nicholas Dakin - Vice Chamberlain (HM Household) (Whip, House of Commons)
His Majesty’s Prisons and Probation Service (HMPPS) offers screening to prisoners upon entry to prison for neurodiversity needs including needs associated with dyslexia. This helps us identify any additional needs they may have that might impact their ability to engage with the regime or learning opportunities in the prison. We would not attribute any additional needs that are identified during the screening process to a specific condition but do encourage individuals to self-declare any conditions or needs they consider themselves to have.
The Prisoner Education Service is in the process of procuring a new Additional Needs Indicator screening tool that will identify many of the traits and needs associated with dyslexia. This screening will be offered to all prisoners without a previous record of completing the new tool as part of introduction to education following reception into prison. Where needs are identified, appropriate support and reasonable adjustments can be put in place.
HMPPS takes a needs-led approach to supporting individuals with additional learning needs, such as dyslexia. To improve support for prisoners the Neurodiversity Support Manager (NSM) role has been rolled out across the prison service. NSMs implement a whole prisons approach to neurodivergence. They are responsible for improving processes to identify and support prisoner' needs and ensuring neurodivergent prisoners can access education, skills, and work opportunities within the prison.
Formal literacy teaching follows national accredited qualifications which must follow quality standards laid down by awarding organisations. All prisons have reading strategies, and we have established a national reading panel, including experts from the British Dyslexia Association. Reader pens, which help those with low literacy levels including those with dyslexia, are available across the estate for Governors to purchase, and use is widespread.
The NSM role provides additional support for learners with neurodivergent needs such as dyslexia to access both education and work. After screening, a Personal Learning Plan is created. These provide people who work with a prisoner information about the prisoner’s needs, goals and achievements. We are broadening prisoner employment pathways through an apprenticeship programme that can be used in open prisons. The Department for Education has recently announced that the requirements for English and maths qualifications for learners over 19 to access apprenticeships will be optional. This will support more prisoners with additional learning needs such as dyslexia to access apprenticeships.
Asked by: Adam Dance (Liberal Democrat - Yeovil)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she is taking to provide screening for dyslexia in prisons.
Answered by Nicholas Dakin - Vice Chamberlain (HM Household) (Whip, House of Commons)
His Majesty’s Prisons and Probation Service (HMPPS) offers screening to prisoners upon entry to prison for neurodiversity needs including needs associated with dyslexia. This helps us identify any additional needs they may have that might impact their ability to engage with the regime or learning opportunities in the prison. We would not attribute any additional needs that are identified during the screening process to a specific condition but do encourage individuals to self-declare any conditions or needs they consider themselves to have.
The Prisoner Education Service is in the process of procuring a new Additional Needs Indicator screening tool that will identify many of the traits and needs associated with dyslexia. This screening will be offered to all prisoners without a previous record of completing the new tool as part of introduction to education following reception into prison. Where needs are identified, appropriate support and reasonable adjustments can be put in place.
HMPPS takes a needs-led approach to supporting individuals with additional learning needs, such as dyslexia. To improve support for prisoners the Neurodiversity Support Manager (NSM) role has been rolled out across the prison service. NSMs implement a whole prisons approach to neurodivergence. They are responsible for improving processes to identify and support prisoner' needs and ensuring neurodivergent prisoners can access education, skills, and work opportunities within the prison.
Formal literacy teaching follows national accredited qualifications which must follow quality standards laid down by awarding organisations. All prisons have reading strategies, and we have established a national reading panel, including experts from the British Dyslexia Association. Reader pens, which help those with low literacy levels including those with dyslexia, are available across the estate for Governors to purchase, and use is widespread.
The NSM role provides additional support for learners with neurodivergent needs such as dyslexia to access both education and work. After screening, a Personal Learning Plan is created. These provide people who work with a prisoner information about the prisoner’s needs, goals and achievements. We are broadening prisoner employment pathways through an apprenticeship programme that can be used in open prisons. The Department for Education has recently announced that the requirements for English and maths qualifications for learners over 19 to access apprenticeships will be optional. This will support more prisoners with additional learning needs such as dyslexia to access apprenticeships.
Asked by: Adam Dance (Liberal Democrat - Yeovil)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate she has made of the number of inmates with dyslexia in prisons in (a) Somerset, (b) the South West and (C) the UK.
Answered by Nicholas Dakin - Vice Chamberlain (HM Household) (Whip, House of Commons)
His Majesty’s Prisons and Probation Service (HMPPS) offers screening to prisoners upon entry to prison to help identify any additional needs they may have, including those associated with dyslexia. We would not attribute any additional needs that are identified during the screening process to a specific clinical condition but do encourage individuals to self-declare any conditions or needs they consider themselves to have.
HMPPS held data does not distinguish the specific types of learning needs of prisoners, so cannot identify those with dyslexia from other learning needs. However, the data from initial screening offered upon entry to prison, which indicates the number of learners in prison with a learning difficulty or disability can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/prison-education-and-accredited-programme-statistics.