Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many (a) prisoners have been removed from and (b) cells require repair in HMP Bedford after the disturbance on 6 November 2016.

Improving safety and decreasing violence in prisons is a key priority. Last month we launched the Prison Safety and Reform White Paper and we are already implementing measures to tackle drugs, drones and phones. This major overhaul of the prison system will include the recruitment of an extra 2,500 frontline officers. Our reforms will empower governors to make the changes they need, ensuring that prisons are places of safety and reform.

225 prisoners were removed from HMP Bedford following the disturbance on 6 November 2016. 140 cells required repair. A programme of works was immediately put in place to bring cells back into operation as soon as possible.