Written Question
Monday 10th September 2018
Asked by:
Nick Smith (Labour - Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney)
Question
to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to Rule 29 of the Prison Rules 1999, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of prisoners' (a) access to and (b) engagement in physical education.
Answered by Rory Stewart
I am passionate about the benefits that can be derived from participating in sport and physical activity in custody, which include building prisoner’s confidence, providing purposeful activity and supporting engagement with rehabilitation when prisoners are preparing for release.
My former colleague, Dr Lee commissioned Professor Rosie Meek of Royal Holloway University of London to undertake an independent review of sport and physical activity in the Youth estate – Professor Meek’s report was published on 11 August. The recommendations in this report will help us to build a range of sporting activities which engage young people in custody and support their rehabilitation.
Written Question
Friday 7th September 2018
Asked by:
Nick Smith (Labour - Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney)
Question
to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the I CAN and Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists' report, Bercow: ten years on, published on 20 March 2018, what steps his Department is taking with the Department for Education and the Department of Health and Social Care to implement the recommendations in that report.
Answered by Edward Argar
We recognise that young people with speech and language difficulties are particularly vulnerable. We are seeking to ensure that practitioners who work with children and young people in settings with a known high prevalence of speech, language and communication needs are trained in recognising and responding appropriately to communication needs, and ensuring access to speech and language therapy as required.
Over the past three years MoJ and the YJB have supported a national project, led by the Department for Education, to deliver special educational needs and disability (SEND) awareness training to the youth justice workforce. The Youth Justice SEND Bubble programme offered free training to Youth Justice System professionals, supporting them to effectively identify and meet children’s special educational and disability needs and allowing them to work towards more effective engagement and positive long-term outcomes.
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 10 Jul 2018
Oral Answers to Questions
"One of my constituents is concerned that her son has put on significant weight in prison. What are the Government doing to provide health education, sport and a better diet to help offenders?..."Nick Smith - View Speech
View all Nick Smith (Lab - Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Speech in Commons Chamber - Fri 27 Apr 2018
Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Bill
"I understand why the hon. Gentleman has tabled these measures, and particularly new clause 4, because figures released yesterday show that prisoners attacked officers 2,327 times in the last quarter of 2017 alone. A guard is being hit every hour in our prisons...."Nick Smith - View Speech
View all Nick Smith (Lab - Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney) contributions to the debate on: Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Bill
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 24 Apr 2018
Oral Answers to Questions
"5. What his policy is on introducing a victims law. ..."Nick Smith - View Speech
View all Nick Smith (Lab - Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 24 Apr 2018
Oral Answers to Questions
"The Minister has promised us a strategy by the summer, but a victims law was offered in the 2015 Conservative manifesto and included in the following Queen’s Speech and reiterated in the 2017 general election. When will this long-promised law finally see the light of day?..."Nick Smith - View Speech
View all Nick Smith (Lab - Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Speech in Commons Chamber - Fri 20 Oct 2017
Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Bill
"I thank my hon. Friend for giving way and it is good to see her having a glass of water. I met PC Gallant the other morning. She has given us a powerful and shocking report of the incident she witnessed. Does she agree that our constituents would be shocked …..."Nick Smith - View Speech
View all Nick Smith (Lab - Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney) contributions to the debate on: Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Bill
Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 19 Jul 2017
Prison and Youth Custody Centre Safety
"I hope that the planned new youth custody service works, but will the Minister say how many new prison officers will join the existing service this year?..."Nick Smith - View Speech
View all Nick Smith (Lab - Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney) contributions to the debate on: Prison and Youth Custody Centre Safety
Speech in Public Bill Committees - Tue 28 Mar 2017
Prisons and Courts Bill (First sitting)
"Q I want to touch on the point about the education and health needs of offenders. I will refer to the written evidence submitted by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists today that there is a high prevalence of speech, language and communication needs in the criminal …..."Nick Smith - View Speech
View all Nick Smith (Lab - Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney) contributions to the debate on: Prisons and Courts Bill (First sitting)
Speech in Public Bill Committees - Tue 28 Mar 2017
Prisons and Courts Bill (First sitting)
"I am pretty sure it is not declarable, but I used to work for the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists...."Nick Smith - View Speech
View all Nick Smith (Lab - Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney) contributions to the debate on: Prisons and Courts Bill (First sitting)