Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, at how many prisons officers have been issued with PAVA spray since January 2019.

Since January 2019 planning has taken place to ensure a thorough and safe implementation of PAVA. Prior to issuing the product every site is required to undertake a readiness assessment, in addition we are undertaking a thorough Equalities Analysis to inform policy and training. These necessary steps are progress towards the national rollout of PAVA, therefore to date since January 2019 no prisons have been issued with PAVA whilst these tasks are underway.