Peers debate plans to support the children of prisonerspublished at 14:54 Greenwich Mean Time 30 October 2018
Oral Questions
House of Lords
Parliament
The first question in the Lords today is introduced by the Bishop of Gloucester and is about supporting the children of prisoners.
Justice Minister Baroness Vere says "having a parent in custody can have a significant impact on a child, which must be taken into account".
"Due to the recent Budget announcements, prison guards will have the budget and flexibility to provide services that work in their prisons and for their communities," she says.
The Bishop of Gloucester says the children of prisoners often have to move home, and asks for them and their carers to receive "significant support".
"We want to make out prisons outward looking," the justice minister says, "so that prisoners and their families can have successful futures."
Labour peer Baroness Corston says the number of short sentences should decline as these "can be catastrophic for a family unit, and have proved to have no benefits".
Liberal Democrat peer Baroness Burt calls for a minister for "the vulnerable children of prisoners" to ensure the best requirements are made for them after a court judgement.
Baroness Vere says "we already ensure that all suspects are asked whether they have children in the court process."