Written questions by Braverman.

Whether her Department has considered compassionate measures for Lucy Connolly.

We cannot disclose personal information about an individual prisoner.

Whether her Department has made an estimate of the reoffending rate of prisoners released through the early release scheme in 2024.

This Government inherited prisons days from collapse. We have had no choice but to take decisive action to stop our prisons overflowing and keep the public safe.Reoffending rates are published regularly on an annual and quarterly basis. The most recent rates are available at the link below: Proven reoffending statistics - GOV.UK.There has not been any significant increase in recall following SDS40.We have also published SDS40 release data alongside the quarterly Offender Management Statistics, in line with the Lord Chancellor’s commitment to transparency: Standard Determinate Sentence (SDS40) release data - GOV.UK.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of shorter prison sentences for prisoners convicted of violent offences on reoffending rates.

The Independent Sentencing Review recommends a reduction in short prison sentences.There is a compelling case for doing so: in the most recent data, nearly 60% of those receiving a 12-month sentence reoffended within a year. It is important, however, to note that the review recommends a reduction in short sentences, not abolition. It is right that judges retain the discretion to hand them down in exceptional circumstances, which David Gauke suggested could be in situations of domestic abuse.We have also been clear that anyone who breaches protective orders linked to violence against women and girls, such as stalking and domestic abuse protection orders, will be excluded from this presumption.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of reducing prison sentences for domestic abusers on reoffending rates of assault.

The Independent Sentencing Review recommends a reduction in short prison sentences.There is a compelling case for doing so: in the most recent data, nearly 60% of those receiving a 12-month sentence reoffended within a year. It is important, however, to note that the review recommends a reduction in short sentences, not abolition. It is right that judges retain the discretion to hand them down in exceptional circumstances, which David Gauke suggested could be in situations of domestic abuse.We have also been clear that anyone who breaches protective orders linked to violence against women and girls, such as stalking and domestic abuse protection orders, will be excluded from this presumption.

Whether her Department plans to release inmates who have served a third of their sentence in order to tackle overcrowding.

This Government was left an unconscionable inheritance with the prison system days from collapse. To prevent the risk of gridlock across the Criminal Justice System, we have had no choice but to take decisive action to stop our prisons overflowing and keep the public safe.The previous Government added less than 500 net places, whilst the previous Labour Government added net 28,000. 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.2500 of these since taking office. Our build programme consists of the construction of four new prisons, including the recently delivered HMP Millsike, as well as the expansion and refurbishment of the existing estate. The Lord Chancellor announced in her speech of 14 May a further investment of £4.7 billion over the spending review period to deliver these places, including breaking ground at a new prison site near HMP Gartree later this year. We are also committed to undertaking critical maintenance work, and acquiring more land should further prisons be required.On 22 May, the Lord Chancellor set out the Government’s in-principle response to the Independent Sentencing Review’s findings and recommendations, which will ensure prisons never run out of space again and dangerous offenders can be kept off the streets. One key change announced will be a new ‘earned progression model’ that will see prisoners earn their way to release through good behaviour or face longer in jail. Under this model, an offender will not necessarily leave prison at an automatic point. Instead, their release date will be determined by their behaviour. If they follow prison rules, they will earn earlier release. If they do not, they can be locked up for longer.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to reduce taxpayer funding of legal representation of proscribed (a) people and (b) organisations.

This Government has made no assessment of limiting legal aid to members of proscribed organisations but will keep the matter under review.

What assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the (a) legal process for domestic abuse victims and (b) advice given to abuse victims by investigating advisors.

This Government was elected on a landmark pledge to halve violence against women and girls (VAWG) over the next decade, and tackling domestic abuse is a core part of this mission. We will use every lever within our power and work with key partners across Government to deliver against this ambition.Domestic abuse-related crimes are complex and require time and specialist resource to investigate. This Government has committed to ensuring police have the right skills and training to respond appropriately to victims of VAWG to significantly improve standards across the board and to ensure justice is delivered for victims throughout the criminal justice system.We recognise that some domestic abuse victims will be impacted by the delays in the Crown Court. We have already taken decisive action to increase the capacity of the Crown Court - including funding a record allocation of 110,000 sitting days in the Crown Court this financial year. However, the scale of the challenge is beyond what increasing sitting days can achieve. This is why this Government asked Sir Brian Leveson to conduct a review into measures which could be adopted to deliver swifter justice for victims, including victims of domestic abuse.Depending on their needs and the nature of their case, victims may receive specialist support, for example from an Independent Domestic Violence Adviser (IDVA). IDVAs support victims of domestic abuse, in a trauma-informed way which aims to reduce risk, promote recovery and re-empowerment, and help victims navigate various systems and challenges through informed choices. Where relevant, IDVAs can provide a victim with emotional and practical support through the justice process.There is no comprehensive dataset on the numbers of Independent Domestic Violence Advisers (IDVAs). The 42 Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) in England and Wales receive annual grant funding from the Ministry of Justice’s victim and witness budget to commission local practical, emotional, and therapeutic support services for victims of all crime types. This includes IDVA support. As part of reporting data, the Ministry of Justice collects information on the provision of PCC commissioned domestic abuse support, including IDVAs. Other local commissioners including Local Authorities and local NHS bodies will also fund IDVAs, and some third sector organisation will secure funding for IDVAs via other routes.

Whether her Department has made an estimate of the number of independent domestic violence advisors working (a) in Fareham and Waterlooville constituency and (b) nationally.

This Government was elected on a landmark pledge to halve violence against women and girls (VAWG) over the next decade, and tackling domestic abuse is a core part of this mission. We will use every lever within our power and work with key partners across Government to deliver against this ambition.Domestic abuse-related crimes are complex and require time and specialist resource to investigate. This Government has committed to ensuring police have the right skills and training to respond appropriately to victims of VAWG to significantly improve standards across the board and to ensure justice is delivered for victims throughout the criminal justice system.We recognise that some domestic abuse victims will be impacted by the delays in the Crown Court. We have already taken decisive action to increase the capacity of the Crown Court - including funding a record allocation of 110,000 sitting days in the Crown Court this financial year. However, the scale of the challenge is beyond what increasing sitting days can achieve. This is why this Government asked Sir Brian Leveson to conduct a review into measures which could be adopted to deliver swifter justice for victims, including victims of domestic abuse.Depending on their needs and the nature of their case, victims may receive specialist support, for example from an Independent Domestic Violence Adviser (IDVA). IDVAs support victims of domestic abuse, in a trauma-informed way which aims to reduce risk, promote recovery and re-empowerment, and help victims navigate various systems and challenges through informed choices. Where relevant, IDVAs can provide a victim with emotional and practical support through the justice process.There is no comprehensive dataset on the numbers of Independent Domestic Violence Advisers (IDVAs). The 42 Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) in England and Wales receive annual grant funding from the Ministry of Justice’s victim and witness budget to commission local practical, emotional, and therapeutic support services for victims of all crime types. This includes IDVA support. As part of reporting data, the Ministry of Justice collects information on the provision of PCC commissioned domestic abuse support, including IDVAs. Other local commissioners including Local Authorities and local NHS bodies will also fund IDVAs, and some third sector organisation will secure funding for IDVAs via other routes.

What assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of support for domestic violence victims in the criminal justice system.

This Government was elected on a landmark pledge to halve violence against women and girls (VAWG) over the next decade, and tackling domestic abuse is a core part of this mission. We will use every lever within our power and work with key partners across Government to deliver against this ambition.Domestic abuse-related crimes are complex and require time and specialist resource to investigate. This Government has committed to ensuring police have the right skills and training to respond appropriately to victims of VAWG to significantly improve standards across the board and to ensure justice is delivered for victims throughout the criminal justice system.We recognise that some domestic abuse victims will be impacted by the delays in the Crown Court. We have already taken decisive action to increase the capacity of the Crown Court - including funding a record allocation of 110,000 sitting days in the Crown Court this financial year. However, the scale of the challenge is beyond what increasing sitting days can achieve. This is why this Government asked Sir Brian Leveson to conduct a review into measures which could be adopted to deliver swifter justice for victims, including victims of domestic abuse.Depending on their needs and the nature of their case, victims may receive specialist support, for example from an Independent Domestic Violence Adviser (IDVA). IDVAs support victims of domestic abuse, in a trauma-informed way which aims to reduce risk, promote recovery and re-empowerment, and help victims navigate various systems and challenges through informed choices. Where relevant, IDVAs can provide a victim with emotional and practical support through the justice process.There is no comprehensive dataset on the numbers of Independent Domestic Violence Advisers (IDVAs). The 42 Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) in England and Wales receive annual grant funding from the Ministry of Justice’s victim and witness budget to commission local practical, emotional, and therapeutic support services for victims of all crime types. This includes IDVA support. As part of reporting data, the Ministry of Justice collects information on the provision of PCC commissioned domestic abuse support, including IDVAs. Other local commissioners including Local Authorities and local NHS bodies will also fund IDVAs, and some third sector organisation will secure funding for IDVAs via other routes.