Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if the Government will publish its review into the concerted indiscipline at HMP Bedford on 15 and 16 September 2018.

HM Prison and Probation Service are currently conducting a regional investigation into the disturbance at HMP Bedford on 15 and 16 September. These investigations are carried out to help us understand the circumstances surrounding such an incident so that appropriate action can be taken and any lessons can be learned. They are not intended for publication.

No structural damage was caused in this incident and so no additional costs have been incurred.

We have published an action plan to stabilise HMP Bedford. Additional experienced officers will be brought in, we’ve reduced the number of prisoners and are providing special training for newer members of staff - all of which will ensure order is restored and maintained in the long-term.

More perimeter patrols, new windows with grilles and increased searches on staff will stem the flow of drugs entering the establishment, and staff will be working much closer with the police to disrupt the drugs trade into the prison. A programme of treatment and recovery for inmates with an existing drug dependency will also be developed.