Radical prison reforms expected in the Queen's Speech

Sweeping prison reforms are expected to feature in the Queen's Speech at the Opening of Parliament Credit: PA

Sweeping prison reforms are expected to be at the heart of the Queen's Speech at the State Opening of Parliament today.

It is thought to be the biggest shake-up of Britain's prison system since the Victorian era, with the first six semi-autonomous prisons to be announced.

In these new "reform prisons" governors will have new powers over all key areas of management.

The Queen's speech and State Opening of Parliament explained

The following prisons, which hold more than 5,000 inmates, will come under the reforms:

  • HMP Wandsworth

  • HMP Holme House

  • HMP Kirklevington Grange

  • HMP Coldingley

  • HMP High Down

  • HMP Ranby

Under the initiative, governors will get much greater financial and legal power over areas such as budgets, opting out of national contracts, operational control on education, family visits, and partnerships to provide prison work and rehabilitation services.

Number 10 said the move, along with an overhaul of prison education, will see social reform and "extending life chances" promoted as the key themes of the legislative programme.

The changes will see prisons established as independent legal entities with the power to enter into contracts, generate and retain income, and establish their own boards with external expertise, in what Mr Gove called the biggest shake-up for more than a century.

Other policies which could be announced:

  • An Extremism Bill.

  • The Queen's Speech will be used to repeal the Human Rights Act and replace it with a British bill of rights, it is reported.

  • The Institute of Directors said it was looking forward to the announcement of a British spaceport.

  • Liberal Democrats called on ministers to use the Queen's Speech to curb the stakes on fixed odds betting terminals which they branded the "crack cocaine " of gambling.

  • Shadow Scottish secretary Ian Murray urged the Government to use the Speech to move away from austerity.

  • Tougher penalties for reckless drivers who kill and maim people are expected to be announced in the Queen's Speech, Liberal Democrat MP Greg Mullholland has said.

  • An overhaul of the care and adoption system in a bid to improve the chances of children in social care in England.

  • Plans to encourage schools to become academies, watered-down following a Tory backlash, are also due to feature.