Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to set out the (1) stages, and (2) timescales, for lifting the (a) lockdown, and (b) temporary expansion, measures introduced to contain the spread of COVID-19 in prisons.

The latest National Framework for Prison Regimes and Services was published on 2 June and provides a conditional roadmap towards how prisons will operate whilst COVID-19 remains a threat. Prisons will move up or down the stages laid out in the Framework in response to local conditions such as an outbreak of infection in the prison or the community, or rates of staff absence.

The Framework was published on GOV.UK as part of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance and support information.

The additional accommodation units are temporary accommodation only. They are designed to support Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service implement a compartmentalisation strategy. Prisoners will return to their usual accommodation arrangements when safe to do so.