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Written Question
Bedford Prison: Standards
Wednesday 11th September 2024

Asked by: Sarah Owen (Labour - Luton North)

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the report by HM Inspectorate of Prisons report into HMP Bedford, published in February 2024, what steps she is taking to improve conditions in HMP Bedford.

Answered by Nicholas Dakin - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

HM Prison & Probation Service is committed to delivering sustained improvement in living conditions and performance across the prison estate, to promote a safe and secure environment that facilitates genuine rehabilitation. Since the publication of HM Inspectorate of Prison's latest report on the prison, HMP Bedford has prioritised the improvement of living conditions, by introducing a programme of cleaning, maintenance, pest control and decency checks.

The new Governor, appointed in February, is continuing to monitor performance at the prison to ensure sustained improvement.


Division Vote (Commons)
10 Sep 2024 - Winter Fuel Payment - View Vote Context
Sarah Owen (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 335 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 214 Noes - 335
Division Vote (Commons)
10 Sep 2024 - Social Security - View Vote Context
Sarah Owen (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 348 Labour No votes vs 1 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 228 Noes - 348
Written Question
Prisons: Religious Practice
Monday 9th September 2024

Asked by: Sarah Owen (Labour - Luton North)

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps her Department is taking to ensure faith and pastoral care guidance for prisoners is being upheld.

Answered by Nicholas Dakin - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

The Government recognises the importance that faith and belief can have in someone’s rehabilitation, and the role it can play in reducing re-offending. That is why we have been clear that we should include this in planning and work across prisons and probation, and with communities, to strengthen support available.

Faith and belief services, together with pastoral care in prison in England and Wales, are delivered by multi-faith Chaplaincy teams in all prisons and young offender institutions in the secure state, in accordance with the requirements of the Prison Act 1952, the Prison Rules 1999, the Young Offender Rules 2000 and Prison Service Instruction 05/2016 Faith and Pastoral Care of Prisoners.

The delivery of these services is monitored through Quality, Assurance and Development visits to prisons, inspections by HM Inspectorate of Prisons, and the annual reports of prison Independent Monitoring Boards.


Division Vote (Commons)
5 Sep 2024 - Great British Energy Bill - View Vote Context
Sarah Owen (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 334 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 94 Noes - 348
Division Vote (Commons)
5 Sep 2024 - Great British Energy Bill - View Vote Context
Sarah Owen (Lab) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 329 Labour Aye votes vs 0 Labour No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 348 Noes - 95
Division Vote (Commons)
4 Sep 2024 - Budget Responsibility Bill - View Vote Context
Sarah Owen (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 358 Labour No votes vs 1 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 109 Noes - 366
Division Vote (Commons)
4 Sep 2024 - Budget Responsibility Bill - View Vote Context
Sarah Owen (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 356 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 73 Noes - 375
Division Vote (Commons)
3 Sep 2024 - Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill - View Vote Context
Sarah Owen (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 350 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 82 Noes - 360
Division Vote (Commons)
3 Sep 2024 - Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill - View Vote Context
Sarah Owen (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 352 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 113 Noes - 372