⚖️ Oral Answers to Questions

• The session discussed the backlog of cases in the Crown Court, which has been rising and now stands at a record high of 73,000 cases. The government has increased sitting days to a 10-year high and extended magistrates’ sentencing powers to tackle the issue.

• Sir Brian Leveson has been commissioned to conduct a review of the courts, aiming for once-in-a-generation reform to address the backlog.

• The government is also working to improve prison capacity by building 14,000 new prison places and implementing a 10-year capacity strategy to ensure enough space for dangerous criminals.

• Concerns were raised about the recruitment of prison officers, particularly regarding pension terms and conditions. The Lord Chancellor has requested advice on the pension age of prison officers.

• Efforts to support female offenders were highlighted, including the launch of the Women’s Justice Board to reduce the number of women going to prison and increase support in the community.

• There was a focus on supporting victims of violence against women and girls, with the government committing to halve violence against women and girls within a decade. Measures include funding for rape and sexual abuse support and the piloting of domestic abuse protection orders.

• The session touched on the case of the Southport attack, with plans for an inquiry to learn lessons and ensure the Ministry of Justice plays its part in preventing future state failures.

• The government is set to introduce legislation to order the attendance of offenders at sentencing hearings, following discussions with victims’ families like that of Olivia Pratt-Korbel.

• Prolific offenders were another topic, with the government commissioning a review on how sentences could be reformed to address such offending, reduce reoffending, and cut crime.

• Concerns about delays in deputyship applications by the Court of Protection were raised, with the government implementing an improvement plan to drive down waiting times.

• Finally, the session covered issues relating to grooming gang sentencing, with a commitment to make grooming an aggravating factor in child sexual offence sentencing.

The parliamentary session exhibits a moderate level of disagreement. Here is a detailed analysis:

1. Crown Court Backlog: There is a clear disagreement between the current Government and the Opposition regarding the management of the Crown court backlog. The Secretary of State highlights the record backlog inherited from the previous Government, suggesting dissatisfaction with their handling of the issue (Shabana Mahmood). In response, Robert Jenrick from the Opposition challenges the current Government’s efforts, citing unused courtroom capacity and the delay in rape trials, which indicates a disagreement on efficiency and action taken (Robert Jenrick).

2. Southport Attack and Contempt of Court: The discussion around the Southport attack reveals a mild disagreement on how information was handled and shared, particularly in terms of contempt rules in the modern world. Robert Jenrick criticizes the handling of information, suggesting a disagreement on transparency and the role of contempt laws in public communication (Robert Jenrick, Shabana Mahmood).

3. Prison Officer Recruitment and Pensions: Seamus Logan from the SNP raises concerns about the terms and conditions of prison officers’ pensions, indicating a disagreement with the Government’s current pension policies. The Minister’s response acknowledges the issue but does not fully commit to immediate changes, suggesting a lack of alignment with the concerns raised (Seamus Logan, Sir Nicholas Dakin).

4. Grooming Gangs and Sentencing: There is a noticeable disagreement regarding the sentences given to members of grooming gangs. Sir John Hayes criticizes the leniency of sentences and calls for a review, contrasting with the Justice Secretary’s response, which focuses on legislative changes but does not directly address the call for harsher sentences (Sir John Hayes, Shabana Mahmood).

5. Transgender Prisoners: The topic of transgender prisoners in women’s facilities shows significant disagreement, with Conservative MPs Sir Ashley Fox and Carla Lockhart expressing strong views in favor of single-sex spaces, while Sir Nicholas Dakin maintains the current policy and mentions it is under review. This issue creates a notable tension between different perspectives on prisoner rights and safety (Sir Ashley Fox, Carla Lockhart, Sir Nicholas Dakin).

6. Prison Capacity and Sentencing Review: There is a subtle disagreement regarding the approach to prison capacity and the sentencing review. Shabana Mahmood explains the Government’s efforts and future plans, while Dr. Kieran Mullan presses for more immediate action and clarity on sentencing proposals, indicating a difference in urgency and approach (Shabana Mahmood, Dr. Kieran Mullan).

7. Support for Domestic Abuse Survivors: While there is a general agreement on the necessity to support survivors, there is disagreement on specific measures and actions. Anna Sabine criticizes the long delays in court processes, and Sarah Sackman responds with plans to address the backlogs, but the approaches to immediate support differ (Anna Sabine, Sarah Sackman).

The disagreements noted range from mild to significant, covering policy effectiveness, transparency, sentencing, and specific issues like transgender prisoners. Overall, the session displays a moderate level of contention, with several instances of opposition and criticism on various topics but without overt hostility or intense conflict.