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.”
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