Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether his Department plans to increase the number of private prisons.

The Government is committed, as set out on the 26 June at the Justice Select Committee and in the 2017 manifesto, to building up to 10,000 modern and decent prison places to replace old, expensive and unsuitable accommodation. This was reaffirmed by the Chancellor in the 2018 Budget, committing the Government to delivering the first two new prisons at Wellingborough and Glen Parva through public capital. Funding routes will be explored, including through private investment, for the delivery of the remaining prison places. The financing models, timetable and costs for these will be dependent on the relevant value for money and affordability tests, planning permissions and commercial negotiations.

We believe in a balanced approach to custodial services provision, which includes a mix of public, voluntary and private sector involvement. This approach has been shown to work, providing excellent services for the public and value for money for taxpayers.