Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 15 May 2019 to Question 251411 on Prisons: Contracts, through what management information requirements is information on staffing levels submitted.

Controllers at each privately-managed prison hold regular review meetings with the contractor against a range of performance indicators that will reflect staffing, recruitment, training, sickness, and attrition and any concerns are discussed at these meetings. Where action is needed, progress is monitored by the relevant Controller and escalated within HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) where appropriate action can be taken in accordance with the contract. There is no requirement in the contracts to agree staffing levels with the Ministry of Justice.

Private providers continue to play an important role in the prison estate and I can assure you that performance of all providers is closely monitored and we will not hesitate to take action where standards fall short.