Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many rapid deployment cells are (a) in place and (b) planned at (i) HMP Huntercombe, (ii) HMP Maidstone and (iii) HMP Morton Hall.

We are delivering 40 Rapid Deployment Cells at HMP Huntercombe. Units were deployed at the site in September 2023 and essential works are ongoing to get the units ready for occupation. First prisoners are expected to occupy the units from early January 2024.

There is no current plan to deliver Rapid Deployment Cells at HMP Maidstone or HMP Morton Hall.

The Rapid Deployment Cells Project is a key element of the HMPPS Programme to create short-term prison places and this project has a clear strategic goal to deliver additional places at prisons across the country, whilst long-term capacity is built.

We will continue to explore where Rapid Deployment Cells could potentially be deployed at prisons across the estate.