Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 29 September 2021 to Question 52449, whether the resource impact assessment identified under-utilised resources or unused capacity in contracted out prisons that were not present in public sector prisons; and what steps he is taking to ensure that contracted out prisons fully utilise the resources available to them to meet policy objectives.

The providers at HMP Bronzefield and Peterborough were consulted during the development of the Pregnancy, MBUs and Maternal Separation in Women’s Prisons Policy Framework. As part of this consultation for the development of the new Policy Framework requirements, the providers were asked to carry out impact assessments. Commercial discussions have not yet been finalised although we expect the policy to be implemented in full while commercial activity continues. HMPPS will continue to provide assurance that these contracts are being delivered in accordance with agreed contractual delivery indicators and that the prisons provide safe, decent and secure services.