Committee publication · Correspondence · 19 May 2026
Correspondence from James McEwen, Chief Executive of HM Prison and Probation Service, dated 15 May 2026: Follow-up to the oral evidence session held on 28 April 2026
From: Justice Committee
Inquiry: Work of the Ministry of Justice
Summary
James McEwen, Chief Executive of HM Prison and Probation Service, responds to written questions from the Justice Committee following oral evidence on 28 April 2026. He provides data on prison officer recruitment through the Alumni scheme, fire safety improvements and automated fire detection targets, electronic monitoring responsibilities across agencies, probation risk assessment methodology, and clarification on Health and Safety Executive engagement regarding radon at HMP Dartmoor.
Key findings
- Prison Officer Alumni scheme has returned 299 officers to the service since 2023, bringing over 1,400 years of combined experience; 42 returns recorded year-to-date in 2026.
- Automated fire detection (AFD) systems to be installed in approximately 10,000 additional prison places by end of 2027; fire safety improvements across estate have reduced non-compliant places from 61,000 (2008–09) to 19,000.
- Safer Vape Pen programme introduced November 2025 has contributed to 46% reduction in prison fires across the estate.
- Electronic monitoring responsibilities fragmented across multiple agencies: Serco (contracted supplier), probation services, police, Home Office, and HMPPS depending on order type and context.
- HSE has notified MoJ of intention to issue crown censure regarding historic radon management at HMP Dartmoor; Ministry continuing policy engagement on radon regulations and reviewing options for Dartmoor's future.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
James McEwen, Andy Slaugher, HM Prison and Probation Service, Serco, Health and Safety Executive, Parole Board, Ministry of Justice
Notable line
“… important step in risk reduction whilst awaiting the full rollout of AFD.”
Key Quotes
“Since its launch in 2023, the Prison Officer Alumni scheme, as of May 2026, 299 Prison Officers have returned to the service.”
“This represents a total of over 1,400 years of experience brought back into HMPPS through the scheme.”
“Through a pivot to this approach, we are expecting to deliver AFD in a further c.10,000 places by the end of”
“The Safer Vape Pen programme, where we introduced the Moja Safer Vape Pen across the prison estate in November 2025. This roll out is contributing to a 46% overall reduction in all fires across the prison estate.”
“HSE have notified us of their intention to proceed with a crown censure in relation to management of radon at Dartmoor.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗