Latest news with #MinistryOfJustice
The Independent
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Tasers to be issued to staff in male prisons in government crack down on violence
Tasers are set to be issued to some staff in male prisons as the government attempts to crack down on 'unacceptable' record levels of violence. Specialist officers from the Operational Response and Resilience Unit based in Kidlington, Oxfordshire, and Doncaster, South Yorkshire, will be the first to become equipped with electric stun guns when the pilot launches on Monday. as she attended the base in Kidlington last week. The trial in England and Wales will run until enough data has been collected to determine if Tasers should be more widely used, according to the Ministry of Justice – but Ms Mahmood said she hoped to have updates in the autumn. The launch comes after rates of assaults on prison staff reached record levels last year, rising by 13 per cent in the 12 months up to December 2024, according to government data. There were also 10,496 assaults on staff in the 12 months to September 2024 – a 23 per cent increase from the previous 12 months and a new peak. Unions welcomed the new trial, but called on the government to address the roots of violence in jail. Last week, officers demonstrated how they would use Tasers on violent inmates in scenarios where there is a significant threat to safety – such as hostage situations or riots. Speaking to reporters at the Kidlington base, Ms Mahmood said: 'I inherited a situation with completely unacceptable levels of violence. I'm not willing to tolerate that. I'm determined to do everything I can to keep prison staff safe. 'They have been asking for Tasers to be allowed to be used in our prison estate for years and years and years, and I'm very pleased to have been able to greenlight this trial.' In April this year, Manchester Arena plotter Hashem Abedi targeted prison staff at HMP Frankland with boiling oil and homemade weapons in a planned ambush. Four prison officers were injured at the jail in Brasside, County Durham, with three taken to hospital. 'The incident of Frankland has really forced the pace on further roll-out of these measures,' Ms Mahmood said. Southport killer Axel Rudakubana also allegedly attacked a prison officer at HMP Belmarsh in May by pouring boiling water over them. Union bosses called for officers to be given stab vests and protective equipment, with Ms Mahmood announcing in June that officers would be told to wear body armour at close supervision centres, separation centres and segregation units in the highest categories of prisons in England and Wales. The trial will use the Taser 7 model, which generates 50,000 volts when fired, with the voltage dropping to 1,500 volts on contact with the skin to incapacitate the target. The T7 model is also a two-shot weapon, enabling officers to shoot a second time in the event they miss their target the first time. The Tasers will be worn by officers on their tactical vest in a secure holster, making the weapon visible to inmates as a deterrent, officers told Ms Mahmood last week. They added that the device also collects data – such as how long it was discharged for – which will contribute to the trial. Officers already have access to batons and Pava spray, a synthetic form of pepper spray, in men's prisons in the public sector. The Ministry of Justice announced in April Pava spray is due to be made available 'in limited circumstances' to a select number of specialist staff at the three public sector young offender institutions – including YOI Werrington, Wetherby and Feltham A. The Taser trial is part of a £40 million package announced last month to boost security across the prison estate, including £10 million specifically for anti-drone measures such as new netting and reinforced windows, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said on Monday. 'Officers will be subject to robust accountability measures, each deployment of a taser will be reviewed,' a spokesperson for the MoJ added. A spokesperson for the Prison Officers' Association (POA) said: 'The POA will always support any initiative that will help protect our members. 'However, as welcome as this initiative is we need to address the reasons why prison officers need Tasers in the first place. 'Violence in our prisons is out of control and apathetic prison managers would rather put the prison regime before the safety of their staff. 'We urgently need action to address overcrowding, understaffing, drugs and the other root causes of prison violence.'
Khaleej Times
7 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE creates Bankruptcy Court to handle related financial disputes
In a monumental decision on Thursday, the Ministry of Justice announced a decision regarding the organisation of the Bankruptcy Court, which will be headquartered at the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of First Instance. The court will be responsible for adjudicating all applications and disputes arising from the implementation of the provisions of the Federal Decree-Law on Financial Reorganisation and Bankruptcy. More to follow
The Sun
23-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Huge change to Universal Credit rules that means benefits WON'T be stopped over cash mistake
A HUGE change to Universal Credit rules meaning benefits won't be stopped over a cash mistake has been confirmed by the government. Claimants who have received compensation after a criminal conviction is reversed will no longer be ineligible for some means-tested benefits. 1 Means-tested benefits are issued dependent on your income and capital - the value of any savings, investments and property you hold. Previously, compensation payments issued after wrongful convictions counted as income and capital for people on six means-tested benefits. This meant they were no longer eligible for payments and missed out on vital support. However, since yesterday and moving forwards, this rule has now ben scrapped. Sir Stephen Timms MP, minister for social security and disability, said: "Rebuilding trust in our systems begins by restoring trust with those the system has failed. "We can't return the years lost by miscarriage of justice victims — but we can, and must, ensure they have every opportunity to restart their lives so they can make the most of the years ahead." It comes after the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) boosted the maximum amount miscarriage of justice victims in England and Wales can receive to £1.3million from £1million - a 30% rise. Alex Davies-Jones, minister for victims and violence against women and girls, added: "Miscarriages of justice steal irreplaceable time and devastate lives. "Better benefit support combined with the uplift of the compensation cap will make a real difference, providing not just financial redress but rightfully deserved recognition to individuals affected." Who is affected? The new rule applies to those on six means-tested benefits in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The full list is: income-based Jobseeker's Allowance income-related Employment and Support Allowance Income Support Housing Benefit Pension Credit Universal Credit Three key benefits that YOU could be missing out on, and one even gives you a free TV Licence Any compensation payments issued to claimants on these benefits under The Miscarriage of Justice Compensation Scheme will no longer be classed as capital or savings. A miscarriage of justice compensation payment is issued when someone has been convicted of a criminal offence and: had their conviction reversed a new or newly discovered fact shows beyond reasonable doubt that there has been a miscarriage of justice If you are currently on one of the six benefits and have previously received a miscarriage of justice compensation payment, you need to report a change of circumstances to the department who pays that benefit. Your change of circumstances should explain you've previously received compensation and that this is no longer classed as capital. The department responsible for paying the benefit will then consider whether you are receiving the correct amount. You will need to provide a copy of your compensation award notification. How to claim a miscarriage of justice payment The maximum amount of compensation issued to a miscarriage of justice victim who has been wrongfully imprisoned for up to 10 years is £650,000. For those who were sentenced to 10 or more years, the maximum amount is £1.3million. Both these maximum amounts were increased by 30% earlier this month, from £500,000 and £1million, respectively. You can apply for compensation if your conviction has been overturned by the courts and any of the following apply: your appeal was successful and it was submitted 28 days or more after your conviction in the Crown Court, or 21 days or more after sentencing for a conviction in a magistrate's court your conviction was overturned after it was referred to the Court of Appeal by the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) you've been granted a free (unconditional) pardon You can find out more about applying for compensation payments via MOJ data published in March revealed 591 applications for compensation due to a miscarriage of justice were received between April 2016 and March 2024. Of these, 39 were approved and 35 payments were made totalling £2,380,700. Are you missing out on benefits? YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to Charity Turn2Us' benefits calculator works out what you could get. Entitledto's free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit. and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto's data. You can use Policy in Practice's calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you'll have left over each month after paying for housing costs. Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for.
BBC News
22-07-2025
- BBC News
Watchdog finds no fault after Whitehaven prisoner suicide
A prison watchdog has said it was "difficult" to see how the care and management of an inmate who died by suicide could have been different. Stephen Hodgson, from Whitehaven in Cumbria, was sentenced to eight years in prison in 2020 for the attempted rape of a 17-year-old in 26-year-old died in his cell at HMP Full Sutton near York on 3 February 2023. The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, which investigated Hodgson's death, offered its condolences to his friends and family. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has been approached for comment. Hodgson, who was housed in the site's segregation unit, was described as a "challenging prisoner" by the watchdog in a report published last week. It said the inmate had also been sentenced to life in prison after wounding another inmate at HMP Wymott in Lancashire. Hodgson was moved to HMP Full Sutton in September 2022. Under observation The watchdog said Hodgson had a history of poor mental health and personality disorders. It said he was seen daily by mental health nurses and was prescribed antipsychotic and antidepressant medicines. Hodgson assaulted both staff and prisoners, used threatening and abusive language and frequently self-harmed, the report said. The day before his death, Hodgson had headbutted an officer in the face. Staff were told they would then only be able to unlock the inmate's door if four officers in PPE were was observed by staff every hour that night who did not report any concerns, the watchdog the morning of his death, Hodgson had self-harmed. A supervising officer decided the prisoner should continue to be checked on by staff every was declared dead a few hours later following a suicide attempt, the watchdog said it believed it was appropriate to keep Hodgson in a segregation unit and that it "did not appear" to negatively impact his mental state. It also said there was "no indication" that his risk of suicide had increased on the day of his death or that he was in crisis. If you have been affected by this report, you can find further support via the BBC Action Line. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Zawya
22-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Qatar: Government Service Centers deliver over 124,000 services in Q2 2025
Doha: The Government service centers across Qatar recorded a remarkable performance in the second quarter (Q2) of 2025, successfully delivering a total of 124,432 services during April, May, and June. This achievement reflects the country's ongoing commitment to providing high-quality public services and advancing the objectives of the Third National Development Strategy (NDS-3). Throughout the quarter, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs consistently led the way in service delivery, completing 48,565 services across the three-month period. It was followed by the Ministry of Justice with 27,974 services, and the Ministry of Labour with 21,850 services. According to the figures released by the Civil Service and Government Development Bureau yesterday, a month-by-month breakdown of the second quarter reveals the following: June 2025: A total of 40,686 services were completed, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs handling 16,276, followed by the Ministry of Justice (8,963) and the Ministry of Labour (6,869). May 2025: A total of 47,517 services were processed. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs topped the chart with 17,829 services, while the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Labour followed with 10,757 and 8,614 services respectively. April 2025: Government entities completed 36,229 services, led again by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with 14,460, the Ministry of Justice with 8,254, and the Ministry of Labour with 6,367. These figures underscore the efficiency and responsiveness of Qatar's government service centers in meeting public demand. The steady growth in service delivery also highlights the effectiveness of inter-agency coordination and digital transformation efforts across various sectors. The government continues to prioritize service excellence as a key enabler of development, aligning service delivery performance with national goals to enhance transparency, streamline administrative procedures, and improve citizen satisfaction. Other major contributors in June 2025 included the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (4,149), the Civil Service and Government Development Bureau (1,680), Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (885), the Ministry of Social Development and Family (733), the Ministry of Municipality (584), the Supreme Judicial Council (444), and the General Authority for Retirement and Social Insurance (103). The Civil Service and Government Development Bureau extends its sincere appreciation to all government service center employees for their exceptional dedication and professionalism throughout the month. Their outstanding performance reflects a steadfast adherence to the highest quality standards and reinforces Qatar's ongoing efforts to streamline government operations. Citizens and residents are encouraged to continue providing feedback via surveys issued after the completion of their transactions. These evaluations play a critical role in driving service development and are central to the Bureau's mission of improving service quality and institutional responsiveness. In line with the strategic objectives of the Third National Development Strategy, the Bureau remains committed to monitoring and enhancing service delivery across all government centers. The completion of 40,686 services in June alone demonstrates the tangible impact of citizen feedback in shaping performance and fostering a culture of continuous progress. The Bureau also aims to achieve the highest standards of administrative modernization and human resource development across government bodies. © Dar Al Sharq Press, Printing and Distribution. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
