Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many times the National Tactical Response Group was called to each prison in England and Wales in (1) 2019, and (2) 2020 to date.

The attached table shows the number of incidents the National Tactical Response Group (NTRG) has responded to each prison in 2019 and this year up to, and including, the 5^th of November. In 2019 NTRG responded to 720 prison incidents and in 2020 to date they have responded to 392 incidents.

The NTRG provides additional resources and support staff to help prisons deal with a variety of incidents, the vast majority of which relate to protesting behaviour, predominantly incidents at height. It follows that most call outs relate to non-violent incidents, including cases where NTRG attend as a precaution to assist local resolution.

We will not tolerate violent or disruptive behaviour in our prisons. Last year we announced £100 million to bolster prison security and crackdown on crime behind bars. This is funding new measures including X-ray body scanners which help to keep drugs and the other illicit items which fuel violence, out of jails.