Written questions by Maynard.

What steps his Department is taking to improve the welfare of staff working in the prisons system.

By the nature of their roles, staff working in the prison system can come into contact with some of the most challenging and dangerous people in society and it is essential that they are supported to carry out their important roles. Given these challenges, we provide extensive mental health support, including a 24-hour helpline, confidential counselling, and online wellbeing services. Our Trauma Risk Management practitioners and Care Teams provide further support following any incidents while on duty.The Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) offers confidential 24/7 telephone helpline for counselling and provides a range of wellbeing and health promotion workshops. EAP also delivers reflective sessions which are a proactive mental ill health preventative intervention. The sessions focus on the impact of traumatic events at work, helping employees to develop coping strategies and preventing an adverse impact on their professional and private life.Within prisons, we are in early stages of implementing the Enable Programme, which aims to transform prisons over the medium term, through a series of workforce and regime changes that will change how HMPPS trains, develops, leads and supports prison staff to ensure that they feel safe, supported, valued and confident in their skills and their ability to make a difference.We are investing around £15 million in protective equipment to help keep frontline staff working in prisons safe, including expanding the use of tasers and providing more protective body armour. This investment will include provision of up to 10,000 more units of protective body armour (known as stab-proof vests) to staff for use when it is deemed as necessary, and training up to 500 more officers to use Conductive Energy Devices (known as Tasers). This means that they will be able to provide immediate intervention during certain high-threat, serious incidents.

What assessment he has made of the efficacy of the offending behaviour (a) programmes and (b) interventions offered in prisons.

HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) expects that all programmes and interventions meet the evidenced standards for what works to reduce reoffending and promote desistance. This includes being able to evaluate them. We expect our programmes and interventions to be either accredited or centrally approved to ensure they meet those evidenced standards.The Correctional Services Accreditation and Advice Panel (CSAAP), an independent group of experts, provides HMPPS with accreditation recommendations to inform their accreditation for use across prisons and probation. CSAAP expects programmes to be designed and delivered based on the best international evidence and requires evaluations to be conducted before they can recommend accreditation.The Ministry of Justice and HMPPS have developed a comprehensive research and evaluation strategy for accredited offending behaviour programmes. This strategy aims to assess the implementation of these programmes, along with their short-term and long-term outcomes, in an iterative manner. The objective is to establish a thorough understanding of programme delivery and its impact on reoffending and other outcome measures among various participant groups.HMPPS also has a National Framework for Interventions (NFI) Policy Framework which provides a mechanism for ensuring that those interventions delivered regionally and in lower volumes than our accredited programme offer, including those delivered in collaboration with our third sector partner organisations, also meet the evidenced standards for effectiveness. These standards are consistent with those applied by CSAAP when making accreditation recommendations for offending behaviour programmes across HMPPS. Where interventions are reviewed under the NFI policy framework, it is expected that providers are responsible for the evaluation of their intervention products. Providers do, however, have the option to engage with the Ministry of Justice Justice Data Lab to complete evaluations.In recent years, several studies and evaluations of HMPPS offending behaviour programmes and interventions have been published in line with the research and evaluation strategy. These are outlined below.Reoffending impact evaluation of the prison-based Resolve offending behaviour programme (2021) - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/957855/RESOLVE_report.pdfAn impact evaluation of the prison-based Thinking Skills Programme (TSP) on prison misconduct (2023) - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1174194/TSP_Prison_Misconduct_Report.pdfAn impact evaluation of the prison-based Thinking Skills Programme (TSP) on reoffending (2023) - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1173986/TSP_Reoffending_Report.pdfThe Healthy Identity Intervention (HII): Findings from an interim outcome evaluation (2023) - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/648833bcb32b9e000ca96609/healthy-identity-intervention-interim-findings.pdfEvaluating the Building Better Relationships (BBR) programme: Feasibility study for an impact evaluation of proven reoffending (2023) - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1149864/evaluating-the-building-better-relationships-programme.pdfThe Healthy Sex Programme: An exploration of pre-to-post psychological test change. (2023) - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1137873/healthy-sex-programme.pdfPost-release reoffending outcomes for individuals with offence-related sexual paraphilias: An exploratory risk-band analysis. (2023) - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1137663/sexual-paraphilias.pdfHorizon and iHorizon: Psychometric analyses of the Success Wheel Measure (2023) - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1137660/horizon-iorizon-psychometric-analyses.pdfHorizon and iHorizon: An uncontrolled before-after study of clinical outcomes (2023) - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1137650/horizon-iHorizon-uncontrolled-study.pdfThe Learning Disabilities and Challenges (LDC) suite of accredited offending behaviour programmes: An uncontrolled before-after evaluation of clinical outcomes (2024) - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/676ada7b3229e84d9bbdea66/LDC_suite_study.pdfKaizen: An uncontrolled before-after evaluation of clinical outcomes. (2024) - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/676ad8c3cdb5e64b69e30a46/Kaizen_analysis.pdfA Review of General Cognitive-Behavioural Programs in English and Welsh Prisons and Probation Services: Three Decades of Quasi-Experimental Evaluations (2024) - https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0001405A Multi-Site Qualitative Evaluation of the Accredited Thinking Skills Programme (TSP) (2025) - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6821cd14d9c9bb76078f7f07/A_Multi-Site_Qualitative_Evaluation_of_the_Accredited_Thinking_Skills_Programme__web_.pdfStepwise Driving: A structured intervention for impaired driving – Exploring the views of facilitators and programme attendees (2025) - https://doi.org/10.1177/02645505251350077Building Choices: Process evaluation of the design test of the new accredited Offending Behaviour Programme (2025): Building Choices: Process evaluation of the design test of a new accredited Offending Behaviour Programme - GOV.UK

If he will extend intervention programmes aimed at preventing reoffending to people held in prisons on remand, pre-sentencing.

We are focused on expanding appropriate rehabilitative provision for remand prisoners to ensure consistency across the country. Probation Pre-Release Teams (PRTs) support probation practitioners in the community with pre-release planning and coordinate specialist resettlement services within the prison. PRTs support all people in prison including those who are on remand or those who are held outside of their local area.The scope of the Commissioned Rehabilitative Services (CRS) accommodation (men's) and CRS Women’s Services contracts have been extended to include those on remand. CRS does not offer intervention programmes but does offer practical support in relation to key offence related needs.This includes the provision of accommodation support for all individuals, and, for women, additional services which address Finance Benefit and Debt (FBD), Family and Significant Others and Social Inclusion. HMPPS is also preparing to recommission its rehabilitative services and we intend that future combined-pathway contracts for both men and women will continue to support both sentenced and unsentenced prisoners. These next generation of services for men in custody, including those on remand, will also include the Community Links and FBD.Accredited offending behaviour programmes are generally reserved for sentenced individuals, as remand periods and uncertain outcomes make it impractical to deliver these interventions before sentencing.

What steps his Department is taking to reduce delays in the escorting of defendants to Court which can result in a trial being (a) deferred or (b) cancelled.

The HMPPS Prisoner Escort and Custody Services (PECS) Contract Management Team continues to work collaboratively with criminal justice system partners through Strategic Partnership Boards to review performance and agree strategies to drive and sustain improvements.PECS provides quarterly reports to Ministers, detailing supplier performance against journey-time targets and the timeliness of prison vehicle turnaround.

What steps he is taking to increase (a) recruitment and (b) retention of prison officers.

We know that sufficient and skilled frontline staffing is fundamental to delivering safe, secure, and rehabilitative prisons. We remain committed to ensuring prisons are sufficiently resourced and that we retain and build levels of experience.Substantive recruitment efforts will continue at all prisons where vacancies exist or are projected, with targeted interventions applied to those prisons with the most need. We closely monitor staffing levels across the estate and look to provide short-term support where needed. All prison expansion projects, whether new prisons or smaller builds, are factored into our staffing forecasts to ensure we recruit on time and build up the experience needed to continue to deliver safe and secure regimes.To help increase retention, HMPPS has a retention strategy in place which is linked to wider activities around employee experience, employee lifecycle, and staff engagement at work. Alongside the strategy a retention toolkit has been introduced which identifies local, regional, and national interventions against the drivers of attrition, which are utilised by establishments to ensure that they are embedding individual Retention Plans.

What steps he is taking to tackle the problem of illegal deliveries of (a) phones, (b) drugs and (c) other contraband items into prisons via drones.

We are working hard to deter, detect and disrupt the illegal use of drones around prisons in England and Wales. Whilst we cannot share our full range of countermeasures, our approach is multi-faceted and continually evolving. This includes strengthening physical security countermeasures, exploring technological developments, exploiting intelligence, bolstering legislation and working across Government and with international partners on this global issue. HMPPS uses targeted countermeasures such as improvements to windows, specialist netting and grilles to stop drones successfully delivering contraband. This year, we are investing over £40 million in physical security across 34 prisons. This includes £10 million on anti-drone measures including windows and secure netting across 15 prisons.

What recent discussions his Department has had with the Criminal Bar Association on reducing average waiting times from point of charge to the commencement of a trial in the Crown Court.

We are grateful for the dedicated work of the Criminal Bar Association and their continued engagement with the Department regarding criminal court reform. The legal sector is integral to the functioning of the justice system.As of June 2025, the Crown Court backlog reached a new high of 78,329. We recognise the impact on victims when trials do not proceed as planned. That is why in December 2024, the Government asked Sir Brian Leveson to conduct an Independent Review of the Criminal Courts, to propose bold and ambitious reforms to improve timelines in courts and deliver swift justice for victims.The Department has had regular ministerial and official-level engagement on actions to tackle the Crown Court backlog with a wide range of stakeholders, including the Criminal Bar Association.We are currently considering the first part of Sir Brian’s report and will respond in due course. We look forward to continued engagement with the Criminal Bar Association on this issue in the coming months.

What steps his Department is taking to resolve delays in the court system.

The Government is committed to bearing down on the outstanding caseload and delivering swifter justice for victims, but the challenge facing the Crown Court is significant.Courts are sitting at, or close to, maximum judicial capacity in almost every jurisdiction, including family and civil, with record investment this year. We are also continuing to invest in the recruitment of c.1,000 judges and tribunal members annually across all jurisdictions.In the criminal courts, we have announced funding for a record 111,250 Crown Court sitting days for this financial year. This is 5,000 higher than the previous Government funded for the last financial year. There are a range of initiatives underway across the criminal justice system to enhance efficiency within different parts of the system.But we need to go further and deliver sustainable longer-term reform to make the system fit for the future. This is why we have launched an independent review into the efficiency of the criminal courts, led by Sir Brian Leveson, to deliver once-in-a-generation reform. We welcome the publication of the first part of the Review. We are considering the recommendations and will respond in due course, ahead of legislating, where necessary, when Parliamentary time allows.In the civil courts, we are seeing a reduction in the time taken between claims being made and trials.The Family Justice Board has agreed system-wide targets for 2025/26, focused on further reducing delay and outstanding caseloads. Areas delivering the Pathfinder model in private family law have made significant progress addressing delays.

Whether her Department has plans to lower the prison officer retirement age.

Prison officers are members of the Civil Service Pension scheme (CSPS), and the normal pension age (at which unreduced benefits can be taken) is linked to their state pension age. We recognise the unique and challenging role that prison officers play in protecting the public and reducing reoffending. The Lord Chancellor has requested advice from officials on the pension age of prison officers, and we will continue to engage with trade unions as this is considered.

Whether her Department has plans to raise the starting salary for prison officers.

Pay for Prison Officers is informed by independent recommendations made by the Prison Service Pay Review Body (PSPRB) through the annual pay review process.On 22 May, the Government accepted all 13 of the independent recommendations put forward by the PSPRB for 2025/26. This year’s award represents an increase of at least 4% for all operational prison staff, delivering another real-terms pay rise on top of the one provided last summer.  This will bring the starting salary for an entry-level Prison Officer (on the national rate, 39 hours with unsocial hours) from £34,494 to £35,875 and will be effective 1 April 2025 when implemented.We announced the 2025/26 award more than two months earlier than last year, keeping our promise to give prison staff more certainty about the pounds in their pockets.