⚖️ Oral Answers to Questions

• The Secretary of State for Justice, Shabana Mahmood, highlighted that the government inherited a justice system that was outdated and inefficient. They are now using technology such as tagging and AI to improve the system’s efficiency.

• In response to questions about criminal justice efficiency, the government is expanding the use of technology, including tagging for managing offenders in the community and enforcing exclusion zones.

• Sir Brian Leveson has been commissioned to conduct a review of criminal courts to improve efficiency, with a report expected later in the year.

• There was a discussion about the reliability of electronic tags and the need for effective contract management to ensure value for money and public confidence.

• Concerns were raised about errors in the prison tagging system, with the Justice Secretary attributing these issues to the previous government’s contract with Serco. They have since reduced the backlog and are holding Serco accountable.

• There are no current plans to release Ministry of Justice land at Springhill Road to local residents, despite requests from local MPs. The focus is on delivering new prison places.

• The government is committed to preventing defendants from absconding before trial by using electronic monitoring, exclusion zones, and curfews, as part of bail conditions set by the judiciary.

• Efforts are being made to reduce the cost of court transcripts for victims, including a pilot scheme providing free sentencing remarks to victims of rape and sexual offenses.

• Support for victims of knife crime is being bolstered through funding for victim support services and the introduction of the Young Futures programme to support at-risk children.

• The government is taking steps to tackle violence against women and girls, including new legislative measures and the introduction of domestic abuse protection orders in pilot areas.

• The Ministry of Justice is assessing the benefits of mentoring for prison leavers as part of a broader approach to rehabilitation and reducing reoffending.

• To address the backlog of domestic violence cases, the government is prioritizing vulnerable victims and increasing Crown court sitting days.

• The government is addressing drug issues in prisons through the use of X-ray and baggage scanners, and the establishment of drug-free wings.

• A new Women’s Justice Board is part of efforts to reduce the number of women in prison and to address issues like self-harm among female offenders.

• The Ministry of Justice plans to build 14,000 new prison places by 2031 and is reviewing sentencing policies to manage prison capacity effectively.

• The government is taking action to tackle court backlogs, including increasing Crown court sitting days and implementing reforms to improve court efficiency.

• The Ministry of Justice is supporting prisons that have received urgent notifications with personal visits from the Prisons Minister and is strengthening the notification process.

• In response to rising assaults on prison staff, measures are being taken to protect officers and ensure they are supported and safe in their roles.

• The Lord Chancellor visited Texas to learn from their criminal justice system, especially regarding reducing reoffending and managing prison populations.

• There was a discussion on the equality of sentencing and the Sentencing Council’s guidelines, with the Justice Secretary committed to reviewing these if necessary to avoid a two-tier justice system.

• The government is addressing issues like homelessness among ex-offenders and is part of inter-ministerial efforts to tackle this problem.

• Legislative measures are being considered to strengthen protections and rights for victims, including those of domestic abuse and homicide, and to ensure equal treatment under the law.

The parliamentary session exhibits a moderate level of disagreement, marked by several instances of contention, particularly around issues of sentencing policies, prison capacity, and the handling of the criminal justice system backlog. The disagreements were largely between the government and opposition, with some tension also evident within responses to specific questions. Below are detailed examples and explanations for the rating:

1. Sentencing Policies and Guidelines:
   • A significant point of contention revolves around the Sentencing Council’s new guidelines, particularly highlighted by exchanges between Robert Jenrick (Conservative) and Shabana Mahmood (Secretary of State for Justice). Jenrick accused the Justice Secretary of failing to understand the changes in the guidelines, leading to a debate on the implications for equality before the law. The disagreement peaked with Jenrick presenting a Bill to block the new guidelines, which was met with sharp rebuttal from Mahmood about the consultation process under the previous government and her plans to address the issue. This back-and-forth indicates a high level of disagreement on policy direction and its implications.
2. Prison Management and Tagging Issues:
   • Another area of contention involved the management of prisoners, particularly with electronic tagging mistakes. Robert Jenrick questioned Shabana Mahmood’s handling of the situation, suggesting incompetence and demanding accountability. Mahmood responded by pointing out that the tagging contract was inherited from the previous government and that they were actively rectifying the issue. This exchange showcases a clear disagreement on past governance versus current efforts.
3. Court Backlogs and System Efficiency:
   • Disagreements also surfaced in discussions about court backlogs and the use of technology to improve the system’s efficiency. Mrs Sarah Russell (Labour) criticized the previous Conservative administration for failing to modernize court processes, which was echoed by the Secretary of State’s responses highlighting the government’s efforts to address these issues. This indicates a level of contention but also an attempt by the current administration to point out progress and policy differences.
4. Prisons and Public Safety:
   • The issue of prison capacity and the efficiency of the justice system to keep dangerous offenders off the street was a recurring theme. Lewis Atkinson (Labour) and Sir Nicholas Dakin emphasized the need for more prison places to ensure deterrence, contrasting this with the perceived inaction of the previous government. This debate underscores a policy disagreement on prison capacity and public safety.
5. Wider Justice System Issues:
   • There were also instances where minor disagreements were evident. For example, discussions on the Sentencing Council’s role and the treatment of female offenders showed some policy differences but were less contentious than the major issues.

Overall, while there were heated exchanges, particularly around sentencing and prison management, the level of disagreement was not consistently high throughout the session, warranting a rating of 3. This score reflects the presence of significant policy disputes but also notes the session’s broader discussion included moments of collaboration and agreement on the need to improve various aspects of the justice system.