Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether HM Prison & Probation Service plans to seek agreement with staff trades unions in advance of taking a decision to relax prison measures adopted in response to the covid-19 outbreak.
Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service continues to work collaboratively with our recognised staff trade unions throughout the COVID-19 outbreak, to ensure all staff and prisoners are kept as safe as they possibly can be. We have proactively engaged with the unions in developing suitable operational guidance and arrangements to support staff in this period. This constructive joint approach will continue as we develop our medium-term recovery plans. We are very grateful to them for their cooperation during this time, and look forward to continuing to work collaboratively in the weeks and months ahead.