Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of releasing statistics on the adequacy of Prisoner Escort and Custody Services contractors’ performance.

His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) closely monitors Prisoner Escort and Custody Service (PECS) contractors through formal contract management arrangements and assured performance reporting. Where contractor failures are identified, contractual remedies are available. These include service credits, fixed-cost remedies and improvement actions. In addition, the ministerially-chaired Prisoner Delivery Oversight Board is coordinating activity across criminal justice system partners to address the causes of delays in prisoner movements and court appearances.

Delays to court proceedings are recorded by H M Courts & Tribunals Service by means of court exception reports (CERs). CERs record delays arising from a range of factors and agencies across the criminal justice system, including prisons and courts, as well as prisoner-related issues and PECS. In the year to 31 July 2026, 22 CERs were submitted relating to cases where the late arrival of a prisoner had contributed to a delay at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court. Of these, two were attributable to the PECS contractor.

HMPPS routinely monitors PECS contractor performance through a range of measures, including contract delivery indicators (CDIs). Information on contractor performance against three key CDIs is published through the Cabinet Office transparency reporting process. The Department keeps its reporting arrangements under review and continues to consider how best to ensure transparency while supporting effective contract management.