§ 13. Mr. John GreenwayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress on the implementation of the incentive scheme in prisons. [7860]
§ Miss WiddecombeNinety-one per cent. of establishments will have implemented the scheme by 1 February.
§ Mr. GreenwayIs it true that Full Sutton, near York, was the only prison in which there was any resistance to the introduction of the incentive scheme? Is it also true that those responsible for the disturbance have now been moved out and that the scheme is working well? Does my hon. Friend agree that early release from prison should be earned by good behaviour and should not be an automatic right?
§ Miss WiddecombeThe simple answers are yes, yes and yes. My hon. Friend has got every question absolutely right. The earned incentive scheme is a useful tool of control for prison officers. As such, it should be welcomed on both sides of the House and, as such, it is making a real contribution to promoting good order and discipline in our prisons.