Prison Overcrowding Debate

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Department: Ministry of Justice

Prison Overcrowding

Robert Halfon Excerpts
Monday 16th June 2014

(9 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Chris Grayling Portrait Chris Grayling
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There was no report from the independent inspectorate about this matter. We are increasing the amount of education in prisons where we can. I have just announced a doubling of the amount of education that is done by youth offenders in the youth offender estate. We are also launching a new secure college, which will have an education-focused curriculum. For reasons that completely escape me, the Opposition oppose replacing a prison-type institution that has bars on the windows with something more akin to a school or college that does positive skill building. I think they are bonkers.

Robert Halfon Portrait Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con)
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The fact that crime is down suggests that reoffending rates are coming down too. Will my right hon. Friend set out the coalition Government’s progressive, forward-looking rehabilitation measures that will reduce reoffending rates still further?