Backbench debate on Thursday, 26 March 2026, in the House of Commons, led by Julian Lewis. The answering member was Jake Richards.

Prison Officers: Mandatory Body Armour

Motion that this House has considered the potential merits of mandatory body armour for prison officers. Agreed to on question.

Secondary information

Type: Parliamentary proceeding
Reference: 783 cc228-248WH
Session: 2024-26
Department: Ministry of Justice
Chamber / Committee: Westminster Hall
Related items: Potential merits of mandatory body armour for prison officers
Friday, 20 March 2026
Research briefings
Proceeding contributions: Julian Lewis | 783 c228WH (Link to this contribution)
I beg to move,
That this House has considered the potential merits of mandatory body armour...; Jim Shannon | 783 c228WH (Link to this contribution)
I commend the right hon. Gentleman for securing this debate. The figures in Northern Ireland have...; Julian Lewis | 783 cc228-230WH (Link to this contribution)
Yes, indeed. No debate in this Chamber or the main Chamber would be worth while without a typical...; 783 c230WH (Link to this contribution); Clive Betts | 783 c230WH (Link to this contribution)
Order. Six Members wish to contribute to the debate and we have about 50 minutes, so people can d...; Andy Slaughter | 783 cc230-1WH (Link to this contribution)
It is a pleasure to talk about this very important matter under your chairmanship, Mr Betts. I su...; John McDonnell | 783 c231WH (Link to this contribution)
I declare an interest as an honorary life member of the Prison Officers Association. I also apolo...; Andy Slaughter | 783 cc231-2WH (Link to this contribution)
I thank my right hon. Friend for all the work that he and other Members present do in supporting ...; Liz Saville Roberts | 783 cc232-4WH (Link to this contribution)
It is an honour to speak under your chairmanship, Mr Betts. I congratulate the right hon. Member ...; Brian Leishman | 783 cc234-6WH (Link to this contribution)
It is a pleasure to see you in the Chair, Mr Betts. I thank the right hon. Member for New Forest ...; Esther McVey | 783 cc236-7WH (Link to this contribution)
I thank the Backbench Business Committee for granting this debate, and the hon. Member for Washin...; Clive Betts | 783 c237WH (Link to this contribution)
The right hon. Lady had the courtesy to advise me in advance that she would have to leave shortly...; Grahame Morris | 783 cc237-9WH (Link to this contribution)
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Betts, and to follow the right hon. Member ...; Jayne Kirkham | 783 c239WH (Link to this contribution)
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mr Betts. I thank the right hon. Member for New F...; Clive Betts | 783 c239WH (Link to this contribution)
We move on to the Front Benchers, who are entitled to 10 minutes each. I hope that we can allow a...; Clive Jones | 783 cc239-241WH (Link to this contribution)
It is an honour to serve under your chairship, Mr Betts. I thank the right hon. Member for New Fo...; Kieran Mullan | 783 cc241-4WH (Link to this contribution)
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Betts. I congratulate my right hon. Friend ...; Jake Richards | 783 c244WH (Link to this contribution)
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Betts. I am grateful to the right hon. Memb...; Julian Lewis | 783 c244WH (Link to this contribution)
On what the Minister said at the beginning, I would be the first to acknowledge that it may take ...; Jake Richards | 783 c244WH (Link to this contribution)
I absolutely accept the principle that prison officers should be safe at work and be given the to...; Julian Lewis | 783 c244WH (Link to this contribution)
That was not really what I asked the Minister. I was asking whether he accepts the principle that...; Jake Richards | 783 c245WH (Link to this contribution)
I accept the principle that too often there are attacks in all sorts of prisons, but of course th...; Liz Saville Roberts | 783 c245WH (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Member for Easington (Grahame Morris) raised how key performance indicators for safety w...; Jake Richards | 783 c245WH (Link to this contribution)
I reassure the right hon. Member that details on violence in both the adult and the youth estate ...; Liz Saville Roberts | 783 c246WH (Link to this contribution)
The key point is what is measured publicly. I appreciate that Ministers will have the information...; Jake Richards | 783 c246WH (Link to this contribution)
Forgive me; I misunderstood the original question. I am very happy to look into what data is publ...; Julian Lewis | 783 cc246-8WH (Link to this contribution)
When I realised that this debate was going to be held on the last day before the Easter recess, I...
Subjects: Prisoners Protective clothing Procurement Standards Safety Violence Prison officers
Link: View this Parliamentary proceeding on hansard.parliament.uk

Prison Officers: Mandatory Body Armour

Secondary information

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