Lord Timpson (Lab)

I would be delighted to write to the noble Lord about the de-escalation training. He is right that human relationships are important in these closed environments. In fact, in all prison and probation environments, human relationships are what matters in turning what can be very difficult situations into safer situations. We are launching a comprehensive, expert-level review of training for separation centre staff, tailored specifically to the uniquely dangerous environments in which they work. Secondly, the review identifies a clear need to transform the way separation centres are governed and operated. That is why at the next spending review we will explore the creation of tougher, supermax-style units for the most violent and disruptive prisoners. These units would provide the highest level of control within a new tiered separation centre system, with movement between tiers permitted only following rigorous new risk assessments. We have already started preliminary work on that. Thirdly, the review found that outdated procedures and legal complexity have constrained the system. We have already improved the defensibility of our separation centre policy framework, and we will go further to ensure that it is robust and grounded in operational reality. The Government remain committed to the European Convention on Human Rights. However, we recognise, as Jonathan highlights within his report, the challenges Article 8 can pose for separation centre decision-making. That is why we are strengthening internal processes, developing a robust litigation strategy, and will consider whether new legislation is needed to better protect decisions taken by experienced staff in separation centres from legal challenge. We will explore the full range of options to deliver this, while being clear that we remain compliant with our obligations under the ECHR. To be clear to the noble and learned Lord, we are appealing the Abu judgment. Jonathan Hall did not find that separation centres contravened Article 3; he found that our process had failed, and we are reforming it. Fourthly, the review found that current intelligence practices in separation centres are too bureaucratic and insufficiently focused. We will improve collection practices so that higher-quality, more relevant intelligence is gathered. This will be supported by further training for specialist staff. Working with the security service, we will ensure that the most serious risks are managed using the full range of available tools, and that high-quality intelligence directly informs operational decisions. Our response to terror and extremism is decisive and determined. The Government will always stand with those who protect the public from danger. We will not shy away from reform, and we will never lose sight of our first duty: to keep the British public safe.