Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

Pursuant to the answer of 17th November 2025, to question 88464 on Prison Accommodation, how many a) places at new prisons, b) permanent cells at existing prisons and c) Rapid Deployment Cells will form the 350 places in Wales.

As set out in the 10-Year Prison Capacity Strategy, published in December 2024, we are delivering an additional 14,000 prison places, and aim to do so by 2031, having already delivered c.2,600 since taking office. The following table provides a breakdown of the places to be delivered in each region by new prison places, permanent cells at existing prisons and rapid deployment cells (RDCs), with each number rounded to the nearest 50 places. Due to rounding, total places may not align to the other categories.Region Total Places New Prison Places Permanent Cells RDCs South West & Centralc.3,250c.1,450c.1,600c.200South East & Eastc.2,4000c.2,100c.250Walesc.3500c.250c.100Midlandsc.2,750c.2,000c.700c.50North Westc.2,900c.1,700c.1,100c.100North Eastc.6500c.400c.200This breakdown represents current projections which may vary when compared to previous projections due to changes in programme scope or our delivery approach, as well as the inclusion in the original response of temporary additional places used in private prisons (which are not covered in the questions above).Due to rounding, and contingency within the programmes, our delivery total exceeds the 14,000 place commitment.

Pursuant to the answer of 17th November 2025, to question 88464 on Prison Accommodation, how many a) places at new prisons, b) permanent cells at existing prisons and c) Rapid Deployment Cells will form the 2,900 places in the North West.

As set out in the 10-Year Prison Capacity Strategy, published in December 2024, we are delivering an additional 14,000 prison places, and aim to do so by 2031, having already delivered c.2,600 since taking office. The following table provides a breakdown of the places to be delivered in each region by new prison places, permanent cells at existing prisons and rapid deployment cells (RDCs), with each number rounded to the nearest 50 places. Due to rounding, total places may not align to the other categories.Region Total Places New Prison Places Permanent Cells RDCs South West & Centralc.3,250c.1,450c.1,600c.200South East & Eastc.2,4000c.2,100c.250Walesc.3500c.250c.100Midlandsc.2,750c.2,000c.700c.50North Westc.2,900c.1,700c.1,100c.100North Eastc.6500c.400c.200This breakdown represents current projections which may vary when compared to previous projections due to changes in programme scope or our delivery approach, as well as the inclusion in the original response of temporary additional places used in private prisons (which are not covered in the questions above).Due to rounding, and contingency within the programmes, our delivery total exceeds the 14,000 place commitment.

What recent progress has she made in implementing the 10K Additional Prison Places Estate Expansion Houseblocks and Refurbishment programme.

To date, the Houseblocks and Refurbishments programme has delivered c.1,000 places, c.200 of which were delivered under this Government. As set out in the December 2024 10-Year Capacity Strategy, we are committed to delivering 14,000 additional prison places, aiming to do so by 2031. We are currently on track to meet this target, having delivered c.2,600 since taking office.

Pursuant to the answer of 17th November 2025, to question 88464 on Prison Accommodation, how many a) places at new prisons, b) permanent cells at existing prisons and c) Rapid Deployment Cells will form the 650 places in the North East.

As set out in the 10-Year Prison Capacity Strategy, published in December 2024, we are delivering an additional 14,000 prison places, and aim to do so by 2031, having already delivered c.2,600 since taking office. The following table provides a breakdown of the places to be delivered in each region by new prison places, permanent cells at existing prisons and rapid deployment cells (RDCs), with each number rounded to the nearest 50 places. Due to rounding, total places may not align to the other categories.Region Total Places New Prison Places Permanent Cells RDCs South West & Centralc.3,250c.1,450c.1,600c.200South East & Eastc.2,4000c.2,100c.250Walesc.3500c.250c.100Midlandsc.2,750c.2,000c.700c.50North Westc.2,900c.1,700c.1,100c.100North Eastc.6500c.400c.200This breakdown represents current projections which may vary when compared to previous projections due to changes in programme scope or our delivery approach, as well as the inclusion in the original response of temporary additional places used in private prisons (which are not covered in the questions above).Due to rounding, and contingency within the programmes, our delivery total exceeds the 14,000 place commitment.

Pursuant to the answer of 17th November 2025, to question 88464 on Prison Accommodation, how many a) places at new prisons, b) permanent cells at existing prisons and c) Rapid Deployment Cells will form the 2,800 places in the Midlands.

As set out in the 10-Year Prison Capacity Strategy, published in December 2024, we are delivering an additional 14,000 prison places, and aim to do so by 2031, having already delivered c.2,600 since taking office. The following table provides a breakdown of the places to be delivered in each region by new prison places, permanent cells at existing prisons and rapid deployment cells (RDCs), with each number rounded to the nearest 50 places. Due to rounding, total places may not align to the other categories.Region Total Places New Prison Places Permanent Cells RDCs South West & Centralc.3,250c.1,450c.1,600c.200South East & Eastc.2,4000c.2,100c.250Walesc.3500c.250c.100Midlandsc.2,750c.2,000c.700c.50North Westc.2,900c.1,700c.1,100c.100North Eastc.6500c.400c.200This breakdown represents current projections which may vary when compared to previous projections due to changes in programme scope or our delivery approach, as well as the inclusion in the original response of temporary additional places used in private prisons (which are not covered in the questions above).Due to rounding, and contingency within the programmes, our delivery total exceeds the 14,000 place commitment.

Pursuant to the answer of 17th November 2025, to question 88464 on Prison Accommodation, how many a) places at new prisons, b) permanent cells at existing prisons and c) Rapid Deployment Cells will form the 2,400 places in the South East and East region.

As set out in the 10-Year Prison Capacity Strategy, published in December 2024, we are delivering an additional 14,000 prison places, and aim to do so by 2031, having already delivered c.2,600 since taking office. The following table provides a breakdown of the places to be delivered in each region by new prison places, permanent cells at existing prisons and rapid deployment cells (RDCs), with each number rounded to the nearest 50 places. Due to rounding, total places may not align to the other categories.Region Total Places New Prison Places Permanent Cells RDCs South West & Centralc.3,250c.1,450c.1,600c.200South East & Eastc.2,4000c.2,100c.250Walesc.3500c.250c.100Midlandsc.2,750c.2,000c.700c.50North Westc.2,900c.1,700c.1,100c.100North Eastc.6500c.400c.200This breakdown represents current projections which may vary when compared to previous projections due to changes in programme scope or our delivery approach, as well as the inclusion in the original response of temporary additional places used in private prisons (which are not covered in the questions above).Due to rounding, and contingency within the programmes, our delivery total exceeds the 14,000 place commitment.

With reference to his Statement in the House on 11 November 2025, how many personnel from his Department will form the urgent warrant query unit.

The Urgent Warrant Query Unit (UWQU) will be formed out of an existing national service centre which currently answers all calls to the Magistrates’ Courts in England and Wales. Its function will be to provide a reliable and accountable route of escalation for urgent queries to HMCTS from Prisons, covering both Crown and Magistrates' Courts.We anticipate the unit will be initially staffed with 8 members of existing staff daily based on an assessment of likely contact volumes. Staff allocated to the unit will be given additional training and flexibly deployed to the Query Unit to ensure all calls and emails to the Unit from Prisons are answered and then dealt with swiftly.

With reference to his Statement in the House on 11 November 2025, how many personnel from his Department will form the digital rapid response unit.

We plan to allocate up to 15 members of staff to the digital rapid response unit. We will keep this resource allocation under review.

When HMP Welland Oaks was first planned to be built.

Plans to build four new prisons, including HMP Welland Oaks, were announced by the Ministry of Justice in June 2020. As set out in the 10-Year Prison Capacity Strategy, the four new prisons are part of this Government’s plans to deliver 14,000 additional prison places, with an aim to do so by 2031. We are currently on track to do so, having delivered c.2,600 since taking office, including c.1,500 places through the new prison HMP Millsike, which opened earlier this year.

In which prisons the planned new houseblocks will be constructed.

As set out in the 10-Year Prison Capacity Strategy, we are committed to delivering an additional 14,000 prison places. This consists of the construction of four new prisons, including HMP Millsike that opened in early 2025, as well as the expansion and refurbishment of the existing estate.Our delivery plans include contingency places that act as resilience to the programme if a project becomes undeliverable or provides poor value for money and is not taken forward.The planned expansion of the estate includes the delivery of new houseblocks at the following prisons:HMP Fosse WayHMP ElmleyHMP NorthumberlandHMP HumberHMP RanbyHMP BullingdonHMP ErlestokeHMP Guys MarshHMP OnleyHMP Lancaster FarmsHMP ParcHMP Channings WoodHMP HighpointHMP LeyhillHMP Standford HillHMP SpringhillHMP WaylandHMP HatfieldHMP FordHMP HindleyWe are on track to deliver 14,000 additional places by 2031 and have already delivered c.2,600 since taking office.

What prison construction projects were due to be completed by ISG Construction.

Construction projects were planned for completion by ISG Construction Limited at the below prisons:HMP BirminghamHMP LiverpoolHMP PrescoedHMP The VerneHMP Kirklevington GrangeHMP Warren HillHMP Guys MarshHMP ErlestokeHMP LeyhillHMP FordHMP Standford HillThe planned new prison in Buckinghamshire Work is underway to recommence delivery across these projects. We are committed to delivering an additional 14,000 prison places and are on track to do so by 2031. We have already delivered c.2,600 of these since taking office.

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his prison capacity strategy on the number of Category A prison places that will be created.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 2 June 2025 to Question 57465.

How many new prisons have been (a) planned and (b) approved since 5 July 2024.

As set out in the December 2024 10-Year Prison Capacity Strategy, we are committed to delivering an additional 14,000 prison places and aim to do so by 2031; we have already delivered c.2,600 of these since taking office.No new prisons have been (a) planned or (b) approved since 5 July 2024.However, since 5 July 2024, the delivery of c.1,080 places have been approved through the Small Secure Houseblocks programme at the following sites:HMP NorthumberlandHMP Lancaster FarmsHMP HumberHMP RanbyHMP OnleyHMP ErlestokeWe have also uplifted the Accelerated Houseblock Delivery Programme by c.125 places at HMP Wayland.

How many prisoners have been released in error from HMP Littlehey since 5 July 2024.

Releases in error have been increasing for several years and are another symptom of the prison system crisis inherited by this Government. On 11 November, the Deputy Prime Minister announced a five-point action plan setting out initial steps to address this issue. Totals for releases in error, including a breakdown by releasing prison (or Prisoner Escort Custody Services), are published each July in the HMPPS Annual Digest, available via HMPPS Annual Digest, April 2024 to March 2025 - GOV.UK, and provide data up to March 2025. Breakdowns of the number of people who have been released in error since April 2025 cannot be provided because it would form a subset of releases in error data which underpins future versions of these Official Statistics. The Government is determined to fix the issue of mistaken releases and ensure the public is properly protected.

How many prisoners have not been released after the completion of their sentence and have continued to remain in custody in error since 5 July 2024.

Release inaccuracy is yet another symptom of the prison system crisis inherited by this Government. While the overwhelming majority of offenders are released correctly, we are clamping down on those errors that do occur, and this includes unlawful detentions.On 11 November, the Deputy Prime Minister announced a five-point action plan setting out initial steps which includes strengthening release checks across prisons and an independent inquiry will report its recommendations to prevent further inaccuracies.The Government is determined to fix release inaccuracies and ensure the public is properly protected.The data requested comes from internal management information and is therefore not fully Quality Assured and does not meet the standard required for public consumption.

What assessment he has made of the potential effectiveness of using Splink to reduce the number of prisoner released in error.

Splink, a probabilistic data-linking tool, is being used to deduplicate and connect records across multiple Ministry of Justice datasets. The Core Person Record service, which links data from courts, prisons and probation, leverages Splink to improve data accuracy for real-time operational decision-making. Early testing indicates this service improves the accuracy and timeliness of person-level information available to staff. We have not yet evaluated its effectiveness on reducing prisoners release in error and agree there is potential to see an indirect impact by reducing identity confusion and ensuring warrants, licence conditions and other information is always associated with the correct individual. We will continue to explore further applications of Splink to strengthen processes, such as preventing erroneous prison releases.

When was the Core Person Record service (a) proposed, (b) developed and (c) launched in pilot form.

The Core Person Record service was proposed in April 2023.The service started development in October 2023 and was launched in pilot form in June 2025.

When new prisons in (a) Buckinghamshire, (b) Lancashire and (c) Leicestershire were first announced by his Department.

Plans to build a potential new prison in Buckinghamshire were first announced by the Ministry of Justice in December 2020. Plans to build potential new prisons in Lancashire and Leicestershire were first announced by the Department in June 2021.This Government will now deliver those prisons as part of our 10-Year Capacity Strategy, under which we aim to deliver 14,000 additional prison places by 2031, with the expectation that they will become operational by 2032. We are currently on track to do so, having already delivered c.2,600 since taking office, including 1,500 places through the new prison HMP Millsike, which opened earlier this year.

In what locations he plans to create new prison places.

As set out in the 10-year Prison Capacity Strategy, published in December 2024, we are delivering 14,000 additional prison places and are on track to do so by 2031, having already delivered c.2,600 since taking office.The remaining places will be delivered across the following regions, rounded to the nearest 50 places:HMPPS Region Places North East650North West2,900Midlands2,800Wales350South East & East2,400South West & Central3,250This breakdown represents current projections and may vary in response to changes in programme scope or delivery constraints. Due to rounding, and contingency within the programmes, totals exceed the 14,000 place commitment.

How many new prison places have been approved since 5 July 2024.

Between 5 July 2024 and 7 November 2025, HM Treasury has approved the Full Business Cases for the delivery of c.1,200 new prison places.These places are part of the 14,000 additional places this Government committed to delivering in the December 2024 10-Year Prison Capacity Strategy. We are currently on track to deliver these by 2031, with the expectation they will be operational by 2032. Under this Government, c.2,600 places have already been delivered.