Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether all new-build prisons due to be run by the private sector will have minimum staffing levels specified prior to any tendering process.

As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement issued by my Honourable friend Rory Stewart on 29 November, this Government remains committed to a role for the private sector in operating custodial services. The Prison Operator Services framework competition launched on 6 December seeks to build on the innovation and different ways of working that the private sector has previously introduced to the system. The sector has an important role to play, and currently runs some high-performing prisons, in the delivery of an estate which is both decent and secure.

The Ministry of Justice does not mandate staffing numbers in privately operated prisons. It is the responsibility of the contractor to determine and maintain the number of staff necessary to discharge the requirements of the contract and ensure that staff are sufficiently trained to undertake their duties.

As part of the competition process we will undertake rigorous operational and financial assessments of bids put forward, including staffing commitments. The performance of all providers is, and will continue to be, robustly managed and contracts for the operation of new prisons will not be awarded unless bids meet quality and value for money thresholds.