We were promised the ‘biggest overhaul of prisons in a generation’ but there is no plan to deal with understaffing & overcrowding - Richard Burgon

Richard Burgon MP, Labour’s Shadow Justice Secretary, responding to the Government’s Prison and Courts Bill, said:

“While there are some welcome proposals, overall this is a damp squib from a Tory Party who have no solutions to the problems they have created in the justice system.

“We were promised the ‘biggest overhaul of prisons in a generation’ but there is no plan to deal with understaffing and overcrowding - the two biggest challenges facing the prison system.

“A duty on prisons to reform is of course welcome. But without a plan to back it up, this is simply a symbolic gesture.

“Labour is open to Governors having greater autonomy, but this must not become a way for Ministers to simply shift responsibility for their policy failures elsewhere.

“And the Chief Inspector of Prisons has already queried whether league tables could be meaningful.

“Preventing cross examination of victims of domestic violence by the perpetrator is welcome. However, the Tories’ reckless cuts to legal aid have greatly contributed to this unacceptable situation.”