Overview

The Prisons (Violence) Bill aims to reduce violence in prisons in England and Wales by legally obligating prison services to minimize violence and establishing key performance indicators (KPIs) with associated sanctions for non-compliance.

Description

This bill introduces a statutory duty on Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) and private prison operators to take all reasonable steps to minimize violence in prisons. It mandates the creation of KPIs measuring prison safety for staff and prisoners, staffing levels, staff retention, and staff experience. The Secretary of State will set target levels of performance against these KPIs. Failure to meet these targets may result in financial penalties, which would be reinvested in staff support (aid therapies, treatments, and rehabilitation for assaulted staff) or targeted pay awards to improve staff retention in underperforming prisons. The bill also requires consideration of the "Safe Inside Prisons charter" published by the Joint Unions in Prisons Alliance in 2021.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't specify a direct increase or decrease in overall government spending. However, financial penalties levied on prisons for failing to meet performance targets will be redirected to fund staff support and incentivize staff retention. The net effect on government spending is therefore uncertain and depends on the number and severity of penalties issued.

Groups Affected

• Prison Staff: The bill directly impacts prison staff by aiming to improve their safety and working conditions through improved staffing, retention incentives, and funding for support services following assaults.
• Prisoners: The bill aims to improve prisoner safety by reducing violence within prisons.
• HMPPS and Private Prison Operators: These organizations will be legally obligated to meet the new duty and KPIs, facing potential financial penalties for non-compliance.
• Taxpayers: The potential financial penalties and reinvestment of funds will ultimately impact taxpayers.

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