30Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Record high of self harm in prisons shows extent of crisis

Parliamentary news
Responding to the statistics released today showing that self-harm incidents in custody have risen again, reaching a record high, Liberal Democrat Justice Spokesperson Daisy Cooper said: “Our prisons are in crisis. The number of self-harm incidents, especially in women’s prisons, is shockingly high and rising. "Because of overcrowding and under-staffing, prisoners spend far too much time locked in their cells, with a lack of support or purposeful activity. To make matters worse, the Conservative Government has introduced new laws that its own assessment says could well lead to more violence and self-harm in prisons. "Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to end overcrowding, including by scrapping pointless short sentences that cause overcrowding and actually increase re-offending. "Women should only be sent to prison where absolutely necessary: for the most…
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29Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must stop spending money on measures that don’t prevent crime

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Government’s statement on prisons today, including the announcement that four new prisons are to be built in the next six years, Liberal Democrat Justice Spokesperson Daisy Cooper said: “The answer to the prisons crisis is not more prisons. Instead of wasting even more money locking people up, mostly on short sentences that don’t work, the Government should spend it on the things that actually prevent crime. “It’s two years since the Government promised to set up five women’s community residential centres, but we still haven’t seen one. That should be the priority, not more prisons. “The Conservatives are continuing their failed approach: trying to seem tough on crime, without doing enough to actually prevent crime. There are already more people in prison in the UK than in…
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28May 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Increase in prison staff Covid-19 cases show Government allowing prisons to become crucible for virus

Parliamentary news
Responding to the figures showing the number of prison staff with coronavirus has increased dramatically, with 873 staff having tested positive across England and Wales, Liberal Democrat Justice Spokesperon Daisy Cooper said: “The figures showing the dramatic rise in Covid-19 cases amongst prison staff demonstrate that the government is allowing prisons to become a crucible for the virus. “Whilst our prisons remain overcrowded and the government refuse to release all low-risk prisoners, there is no chance of social distancing. This puts the health of both staff and prisoners, as well as our communities, at risk. “The government must listen to prison governors and end overcrowding in prisons before the consequences become even more severe. Liberal Democrats are calling for Ministers to release all low-risk prisoners serving short sentences and suspend any new short sentences. With tough…
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23Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems condemn Government for coronavirus crisis in prisons

Parliamentary news
Liberal Democrat Peer and former Deputy First Minister for Wales, Lord German, will be leading a debate in the Houses of Parliament to question the Government over their inaction in stopping the spread of coronavirus across prisons in England and Wales.Mike German, who is the Party’s Spokesperson for Prison Reform in the House of Lords, is set to raise the issue of overcrowding in prisons and overstretched prisons staff across England and Wales, making them “a perfect crucible” for coronavirus to spread. Speaking ahead of his debate, Mike German said: “Throughout the coronavirus crisis, the Liberal Democrats have repeatedly warned the Government about the dangers posed by our already overstretched prisons and prisons staff.  The fact that conditions in our prisons were so already poor has made them a perfect crucible for the disease.…
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05Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must go further to prevent Covid-19 crisis in prisons

Parliamentary news
Responding to news that the Ministry of Justice will temporarily release risk-assessed prisoners who are within two months of their release date to reduce the risk of coronavirus spreading in prisons, Liberal Democrat Justice spokesperson Daisy Cooper said: “It's a relief to see that the Government are finally listening to prison governors, who have been warning of a Covid-19 crisis in overcrowded prisons for weeks. This decision should have come much sooner given the scale of the threat. “The Government must urgently take steps to further reduce risk in prisons, including releasing all low-risk prisoners serving short sentences - not just those already reaching the final months of their sentence. This would significantly reduce overcrowding in prisons, better protecting prison staff, prisoners and - by reducing transmission - help our NHS.”
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01Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must go further to avoid prisons crisis

Parliamentary news
Following the announcement from the Ministry of Justice that pregnant prisoners will be temporarily released from prison, Liberal Democrat Justice Spokesperson Daisy Cooper said: “This decision to release prisoners who are pregnant and at increased risk from coronavirus is necessary and welcome, but should have been taken much sooner. “Prisons are overcrowded and prison staff were already massively overstretched before coronavirus. Now with 20% of staff off work due to the virus and rising, we are getting close to breaking point. “The Government must go much further and faster to prevent us sleepwalking into a huge Covid crisis in our prisons. “The Government must urgently listen to prison governors and end overcrowding in prisons, including releasing prisoners serving short sentences and suspending any new short sentences.”
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