Member

Then we must address the current need to shuffle prisoners around the prison estate in a chase to find spare beds somewhere in the system without regard to prisoners’ needs in terms of geography and continuity. That shuffling is damaging for rehabilitation. It breaks ties with families and communities, which is particularly important in the period leading up to release. That shuffling prevents continuity of prisoners’ contact with staff in prisons, particularly, again, when prisoners are being prepared for release and need that staff contact. Constantly moving prisoners around the prison estate prevents continuity of educational courses and vocational training courses—where, indeed, such courses are available, which is far from universal. Alongside these necessary improvements, we must relieve the pressures caused by present understaffing and the low morale within the prison service that goes with it.