Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps the Government is taking to provide alternative accommodation for people placed in prison for their own protection under the Bail Act 1976.

Community accommodation is already available for defendants who may otherwise be remanded into custody. Approved Premises and the Bail Accommodation Support Services both provide a community-based alternative to custody for specific cohorts of individuals who are unconvicted or unsentenced. For high risk bailees, Approved Premises provide temporary accommodation with enhanced supervision and rehabilitative support.

The court’s decision to remand an individual in custody for their own protection is used as a last resort and out of concern for the defendant, where circumstances are such that a defendant would come to harm if released into the community and there is no other suitable option available to the courts.

Following a commitment from the Government earlier this year, MoJ is reviewing the use of the power to remand for own protection. This work is ongoing.