Statement from Tony Lloyd in response to prison reform plans

Greater Manchester Mayor and Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd

Responding to Prime Minister David Cameron’s plans to reform the prison system, Greater Manchester Mayor and Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd said: “While I welcome the Prime Minister’s announcement to establish ‘reform prisons’ and agree that some of our prisons need an overhaul, this is rhetoric peddled by this Government for a number of years, with numerous promises to reform the prison system. It will be interesting to see the detail of these proposals and whether it will benefit the communities of Greater Manchester.

“I have always been an advocate of rehabilitation where this is possible. Of course, for those who have committed heinous crimes or continue to offend, prison is the right place. But it is not always the right place for those who commit crime because of deep-rooted issues such as drug and alcohol abuse or mental ill health. These are the people stuck on a cycle of reoffending, serving short and frequent sentences in custody and more needs to be invested in alternatives to custody.

“For example, in Greater Manchester, police, probation, health and other agencies now work closely with the region’s network of women’s centres and voluntary organisations, and the community, to help women offenders tackle issues such as domestic abuse, mental health and substance abuse and break the cycle of reoffending.

“It’s work like this that is giving people a pathway away from crime, reducing reoffending and making our communities better and safer. If the Government is serious about overhauling our prison system and giving autonomy to prison governors, it must insist they work with the GM family if it really wants to reduce reoffending."