Asked by: Kit Malthouse (Conservative - North West Hampshire)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the multi-agency approach to stalking and the management of fixated offenders adopted by Cheshire Constabulary's Harm Reduction Unit; and whether she plans to support the adoption of that model by other police forces.
Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
The Government recognises the importance of multi-agency approaches to tackling stalking and managing high-risk perpetrators. Our cross-Government Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy makes clear that preventing abuse and protecting victims requires effective multi-agency working and a strong focus on perpetrator behaviour and risk management.
Cheshire PCC are receiving funding through the Home Office’s Domestic Abuse and Stalking Perpetrator Intervention Fund to support their work in this area. More broadly, we are funding the National Centre for VAWG and Public Protection to support the sharing of effective practice across policing and encourage forces to consider approaches that improve outcomes for victims and strengthen the management of perpetrators.
Asked by: Kit Malthouse (Conservative - North West Hampshire)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what specialist NHS treatment is available for individuals who engage in stalking and fixated behaviour, including through services such as the National Stalking Clinic; and what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of that provision to meet demand.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Services for individuals who engage in stalking and fixated behaviour are locally commissioned by the National Health Service and multi-agency criminal justice and health partnerships. Treatment through mainstream NHS mental health services is based on an individual’s assessed clinical needs, and stalking behaviour is not, in itself, a mental health condition.
The National Stalking Clinic is provided by the North London NHS Foundation Trust and offers assessment and consultation for adults with complex presentations, primarily following referrals from health, probation, and prison services.
Asked by: Kit Malthouse (Conservative - North West Hampshire)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what (a) treatment and (b) accredited behavioural interventions are available to individuals convicted of (i) stalking and (ii) exhibiting fixated behaviour in (A) custody and (B) while under supervision in the community.
Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
Stalking is a crime characterised by a range of types of behaviour, with complex and varying motivations. No single intervention should be considered a ‘solution’ to stalking behaviour. The interventions appropriate to address the offending behaviour of each individual are determined by professional assessment of their risks and rehabilitative needs.
“Building Choices” is an accredited offending behaviour programme designed for adult (18+) men and women in custody and on probation. It is designed to address the dynamic risk factors associated with offending behaviour rather than targeting specific offence types or behaviours and is based on the principle that people offend for a variety of reasons, with effective rehabilitation therefore requiring intervention to target risk factors predictive of future risk of re-offending.
Building Choices is not built around specific types of behaviour, but by the risk factors relevant to each individual. These include:
cognitive factors, including rigid thinking patterns and pro-criminal or offence-supportive attitudes
self-management factors, including emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, poor coping strategies and problem-solving difficulties
relationship factors, including difficulties with interpersonal and intimacy skills, and association with pro-criminal peers
additional dynamic risk factors relating to low-level offence-related sexual interests and sexual pre-occupation, where relevant.
In addition to accredited interventions, H M Prison and Probation regions can commission non-accredited rehabilitative interventions to address specific needs. These interventions target changes in attitudes, thinking patterns, emotional regulation, and behaviour where there is an assessed need to do so. Such interventions are typically focused on addressing the underlying drivers of offending behaviour and are not usually specific to offence types.
In a small number of cases, where assessment indicates a continuing and significant risk of stalking-related harm, and where established intervention pathways are not considered suitable or have been exhausted, psychology services may provide individually tailored, formulation-driven consultation and intervention. Such work is typically focused on understanding and managing the specific drivers of stalking or fixated behaviour, reducing risk, and supporting multi-agency risk management arrangements.
Asked by: Kit Malthouse (Conservative - North West Hampshire)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what risk assessment is carried out on offenders convicted of stalking and exhibiting fixated behaviour before they are released from custody, including under early release arrangements; and what steps he is taking to help safeguard victims on their release.
Answered by Alex Davies-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
Before offenders convicted of stalking, which may have involved exhibiting fixated behaviour, are released from custody, including under early release arrangements, probation practitioners will conduct a thorough risk assessment, taking account of information which they receive from enquiries made of the Police in order to identify the licence conditions and other controls needed to manage the risks which offenders present to their victims and to the general public. Probation practitioners will also take account of representations which victims make to their victim liaison officers as to the conditions they wish included in the post-release licence, for their protection and peace of mind. In the more complex cases, practitioners will also take into account a specialist assessment produced by a qualified psychologist.
Offenders released on licence are subject to a set of standard licence conditions and, where necessary to manage risk and protect victims, they may also be made subject to additional conditions such as exclusion zones, non-contact conditions and location monitoring. If they breach these conditions and risk is no longer manageable in the community, they may be recalled to prison.
From October, new tougher powers will include restriction zones, and the ability to prohibit offenders from driving, attending public events, or entering pubs, clubs and bars.
To support victims affected or concerned about prisoner releases, we will create a national helpline, offering emotional support, practical advice such as safety planning, and signposting to onward services.
Asked by: Kit Malthouse (Conservative - North West Hampshire)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, for what reason offenders convicted of killing a police officer or other emergency worker were not excluded from the early release scheme.
Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
This Government inherited a prisons system days from collapse. We had no choice but to take decisive action to stop our prisons overflowing and keep the public safe. Our landmark Sentencing Act 2026 will now deliver a more sustainable solution to the prison capacity crisis we inherited, including through the progression model, which will help ensure there are always enough prison places for the courts to be able to send people to custody.
The Prime Minister’s review informed decisions relating to implementation of the progression model and subsequent offence exclusions. The Government carefully considered concerns raised by victims, survivors, parliamentarians and the wider public and acted on those concerns. Representations received from Thames Valley police, other policing stakeholders, and a range of victims including the family of PC Harper during the review formed part of the evidence considered as part of that process. Ministers continue to engage with a range of stakeholders on implementation.
As a result, offenders convicted of unlawful killing offence such as manslaughter, causing death by dangerous driving, as well as further historic child sex offences, will now be excluded, on top of rape and serious child sex offences. This also includes offenders convicted of offences involving the killing of an emergency worker. A full list of exclusions can be found here: Sentencing Act 2026 offence exclusions - GOV.UK.
These exclusions are in addition to the existing exclusion of more than 18,000 offenders serving more serious sentences.
The progression model amends release points for offenders serving Standard Determinate Sentences.
The date from which the progression model will apply, and the date of the first tranche of releases is 1 October 2026. Offenders released under the progression model will be controlled under strict licence conditions and can be recalled to custody where they breach those conditions or their risk can no longer be safely managed in the community.
We have published the modelled estimates of the volumes of offenders to be released on the first day of each tranche. Current published estimates do not identify releases from individual prisons, including HMP Isle of Wight. This information is now available at: Sentencing Act 2026 offence exclusions - GOV.UK.
Work is underway to implement the change announced, including the completion of complex sentence calculations necessary to support delivery. The Ministry of Justice also routinely publishes Accredited Official Statistics on prison population and prisoner releases as part of the Offender Management Statistics Quarterly (OMSQ) publication.
Asked by: Kit Malthouse (Conservative - North West Hampshire)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what representations he received from (a) the family of PC Andrew Harper, (b) the Thames Valley Police Federation and (c) the Police Federation of England and Wales during the review of the early release scheme; and what weight was given to them.
Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
This Government inherited a prisons system days from collapse. We had no choice but to take decisive action to stop our prisons overflowing and keep the public safe. Our landmark Sentencing Act 2026 will now deliver a more sustainable solution to the prison capacity crisis we inherited, including through the progression model, which will help ensure there are always enough prison places for the courts to be able to send people to custody.
The Prime Minister’s review informed decisions relating to implementation of the progression model and subsequent offence exclusions. The Government carefully considered concerns raised by victims, survivors, parliamentarians and the wider public and acted on those concerns. Representations received from Thames Valley police, other policing stakeholders, and a range of victims including the family of PC Harper during the review formed part of the evidence considered as part of that process. Ministers continue to engage with a range of stakeholders on implementation.
As a result, offenders convicted of unlawful killing offence such as manslaughter, causing death by dangerous driving, as well as further historic child sex offences, will now be excluded, on top of rape and serious child sex offences. This also includes offenders convicted of offences involving the killing of an emergency worker. A full list of exclusions can be found here: Sentencing Act 2026 offence exclusions - GOV.UK.
These exclusions are in addition to the existing exclusion of more than 18,000 offenders serving more serious sentences.
The progression model amends release points for offenders serving Standard Determinate Sentences.
The date from which the progression model will apply, and the date of the first tranche of releases is 1 October 2026. Offenders released under the progression model will be controlled under strict licence conditions and can be recalled to custody where they breach those conditions or their risk can no longer be safely managed in the community.
We have published the modelled estimates of the volumes of offenders to be released on the first day of each tranche. Current published estimates do not identify releases from individual prisons, including HMP Isle of Wight. This information is now available at: Sentencing Act 2026 offence exclusions - GOV.UK.
Work is underway to implement the change announced, including the completion of complex sentence calculations necessary to support delivery. The Ministry of Justice also routinely publishes Accredited Official Statistics on prison population and prisoner releases as part of the Offender Management Statistics Quarterly (OMSQ) publication.
Asked by: Kit Malthouse (Conservative - North West Hampshire)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people convicted of killing a police officer or other emergency worker are eligible for early release under the scheme; and how many he expects to be released in the next 12 months.
Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
This Government inherited a prisons system days from collapse. We had no choice but to take decisive action to stop our prisons overflowing and keep the public safe. Our landmark Sentencing Act 2026 will now deliver a more sustainable solution to the prison capacity crisis we inherited, including through the progression model, which will help ensure there are always enough prison places for the courts to be able to send people to custody.
The Prime Minister’s review informed decisions relating to implementation of the progression model and subsequent offence exclusions. The Government carefully considered concerns raised by victims, survivors, parliamentarians and the wider public and acted on those concerns. Representations received from Thames Valley police, other policing stakeholders, and a range of victims including the family of PC Harper during the review formed part of the evidence considered as part of that process. Ministers continue to engage with a range of stakeholders on implementation.
As a result, offenders convicted of unlawful killing offence such as manslaughter, causing death by dangerous driving, as well as further historic child sex offences, will now be excluded, on top of rape and serious child sex offences. This also includes offenders convicted of offences involving the killing of an emergency worker. A full list of exclusions can be found here: Sentencing Act 2026 offence exclusions - GOV.UK.
These exclusions are in addition to the existing exclusion of more than 18,000 offenders serving more serious sentences.
The progression model amends release points for offenders serving Standard Determinate Sentences.
The date from which the progression model will apply, and the date of the first tranche of releases is 1 October 2026. Offenders released under the progression model will be controlled under strict licence conditions and can be recalled to custody where they breach those conditions or their risk can no longer be safely managed in the community.
We have published the modelled estimates of the volumes of offenders to be released on the first day of each tranche. Current published estimates do not identify releases from individual prisons, including HMP Isle of Wight. This information is now available at: Sentencing Act 2026 offence exclusions - GOV.UK.
Work is underway to implement the change announced, including the completion of complex sentence calculations necessary to support delivery. The Ministry of Justice also routinely publishes Accredited Official Statistics on prison population and prisoner releases as part of the Offender Management Statistics Quarterly (OMSQ) publication.
Asked by: Kit Malthouse (Conservative - North West Hampshire)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what criteria his Department used to determine which categories of offence would be excluded from the early release scheme.
Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
This Government inherited a prisons system days from collapse. We had no choice but to take decisive action to stop our prisons overflowing and keep the public safe. Our landmark Sentencing Act 2026 will now deliver a more sustainable solution to the prison capacity crisis we inherited, including through the progression model, which will help ensure there are always enough prison places for the courts to be able to send people to custody.
The Prime Minister’s review informed decisions relating to implementation of the progression model and subsequent offence exclusions. The Government carefully considered concerns raised by victims, survivors, parliamentarians and the wider public and acted on those concerns. Representations received from Thames Valley police, other policing stakeholders, and a range of victims including the family of PC Harper during the review formed part of the evidence considered as part of that process. Ministers continue to engage with a range of stakeholders on implementation.
As a result, offenders convicted of unlawful killing offence such as manslaughter, causing death by dangerous driving, as well as further historic child sex offences, will now be excluded, on top of rape and serious child sex offences. This also includes offenders convicted of offences involving the killing of an emergency worker. A full list of exclusions can be found here: Sentencing Act 2026 offence exclusions - GOV.UK.
These exclusions are in addition to the existing exclusion of more than 18,000 offenders serving more serious sentences.
The progression model amends release points for offenders serving Standard Determinate Sentences.
The date from which the progression model will apply, and the date of the first tranche of releases is 1 October 2026. Offenders released under the progression model will be controlled under strict licence conditions and can be recalled to custody where they breach those conditions or their risk can no longer be safely managed in the community.
We have published the modelled estimates of the volumes of offenders to be released on the first day of each tranche. Current published estimates do not identify releases from individual prisons, including HMP Isle of Wight. This information is now available at: Sentencing Act 2026 offence exclusions - GOV.UK.
Work is underway to implement the change announced, including the completion of complex sentence calculations necessary to support delivery. The Ministry of Justice also routinely publishes Accredited Official Statistics on prison population and prisoner releases as part of the Offender Management Statistics Quarterly (OMSQ) publication.
Asked by: Kit Malthouse (Conservative - North West Hampshire)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will publish the reviews of the early release scheme ordered by the Prime Minister.
Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
This Government inherited a prisons system days from collapse. We had no choice but to take decisive action to stop our prisons overflowing and keep the public safe. Our landmark Sentencing Act 2026 will now deliver a more sustainable solution to the prison capacity crisis we inherited, including through the progression model, which will help ensure there are always enough prison places for the courts to be able to send people to custody.
The Prime Minister’s review informed decisions relating to implementation of the progression model and subsequent offence exclusions. The Government carefully considered concerns raised by victims, survivors, parliamentarians and the wider public and acted on those concerns. Representations received from Thames Valley police, other policing stakeholders, and a range of victims including the family of PC Harper during the review formed part of the evidence considered as part of that process. Ministers continue to engage with a range of stakeholders on implementation.
As a result, offenders convicted of unlawful killing offence such as manslaughter, causing death by dangerous driving, as well as further historic child sex offences, will now be excluded, on top of rape and serious child sex offences. This also includes offenders convicted of offences involving the killing of an emergency worker. A full list of exclusions can be found here: Sentencing Act 2026 offence exclusions - GOV.UK.
These exclusions are in addition to the existing exclusion of more than 18,000 offenders serving more serious sentences.
The progression model amends release points for offenders serving Standard Determinate Sentences.
The date from which the progression model will apply, and the date of the first tranche of releases is 1 October 2026. Offenders released under the progression model will be controlled under strict licence conditions and can be recalled to custody where they breach those conditions or their risk can no longer be safely managed in the community.
We have published the modelled estimates of the volumes of offenders to be released on the first day of each tranche. Current published estimates do not identify releases from individual prisons, including HMP Isle of Wight. This information is now available at: Sentencing Act 2026 offence exclusions - GOV.UK.
Work is underway to implement the change announced, including the completion of complex sentence calculations necessary to support delivery. The Ministry of Justice also routinely publishes Accredited Official Statistics on prison population and prisoner releases as part of the Offender Management Statistics Quarterly (OMSQ) publication.
Asked by: Kit Malthouse (Conservative - North West Hampshire)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will meet (a) the family of PC Andrew Harper and (b) representatives of the Police Federation to discuss the early release scheme.
Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
This Government inherited a prisons system days from collapse. We had no choice but to take decisive action to stop our prisons overflowing and keep the public safe. Our landmark Sentencing Act 2026 will now deliver a more sustainable solution to the prison capacity crisis we inherited, including through the progression model, which will help ensure there are always enough prison places for the courts to be able to send people to custody.
The Prime Minister’s review informed decisions relating to implementation of the progression model and subsequent offence exclusions. The Government carefully considered concerns raised by victims, survivors, parliamentarians and the wider public and acted on those concerns. Representations received from Thames Valley police, other policing stakeholders, and a range of victims including the family of PC Harper during the review formed part of the evidence considered as part of that process. Ministers continue to engage with a range of stakeholders on implementation.
As a result, offenders convicted of unlawful killing offence such as manslaughter, causing death by dangerous driving, as well as further historic child sex offences, will now be excluded, on top of rape and serious child sex offences. This also includes offenders convicted of offences involving the killing of an emergency worker. A full list of exclusions can be found here: Sentencing Act 2026 offence exclusions - GOV.UK.
These exclusions are in addition to the existing exclusion of more than 18,000 offenders serving more serious sentences.
The progression model amends release points for offenders serving Standard Determinate Sentences.
The date from which the progression model will apply, and the date of the first tranche of releases is 1 October 2026. Offenders released under the progression model will be controlled under strict licence conditions and can be recalled to custody where they breach those conditions or their risk can no longer be safely managed in the community.
We have published the modelled estimates of the volumes of offenders to be released on the first day of each tranche. Current published estimates do not identify releases from individual prisons, including HMP Isle of Wight. This information is now available at: Sentencing Act 2026 offence exclusions - GOV.UK.
Work is underway to implement the change announced, including the completion of complex sentence calculations necessary to support delivery. The Ministry of Justice also routinely publishes Accredited Official Statistics on prison population and prisoner releases as part of the Offender Management Statistics Quarterly (OMSQ) publication.