Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to Annual Report of the Independent Monitoring Board at HMP/YOI Bedford, published on 26 November 2021, whether it remains his policy to open a specific wing for young prisoners at HMP/YOI Bedford; and what his planned timescale is for that project.

HMP Bedford intends to introduce a residential unit to support young adults aged 18-21 who exhibit complex needs. We are keeping the timescale under review and will provide an update in due course.