Prison Officers Association: Protest Action Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Ministry of Justice
James Berry
Main Page: James Berry (Conservative - Kingston and Surbiton)Department Debates - View all James Berry's debates with the Ministry of Justice
(7 years, 5 months ago)
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Elizabeth Truss
I thank the hon. Lady for her comments and I can confirm that those increases will also apply in the private sector as well as in the public sector.
James Berry (Kingston and Surbiton) (Con)
In response to concerns from prison officers, this Government criminalised psychoactive substances in prisons. My right hon. Friend has announced an increase in the number of prison officers, but will she inform the House what other steps have been taken to increase safety in prisons, including limiting the illegal use of mobile phones by prisoners?
Elizabeth Truss
My hon. Friend is absolutely right; mobile phones and drones pose a serious security threat. We are working closely with the mobile phone companies to be able to block those mobile phones in prisons. We are also rolling out the use of body-worn cameras across the estate to give officers more protection, and we are offering prison governors specific support in dealing with the issues they face in their particular establishments.