You can tell Ozempic and Mounjaro are popular…in our Timpson shops we have seen a 680% increase in the number of free holes in customers belts we’ve been doing this year.

I’ve retired today as Minsiter of State for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending, and am returning to run my family business. Thanks so much to everyone I’ve worked with over the last two years, and thanks to my family for their amazing support while I served.

Kebatu has been arrested, is now in custody and will be deported. Thanks to the Met, Essex and British Transport Police for their swift and thorough work. I have already ordered the immediate strengthening of release checks and a full investigation into what went wrong.

I am appalled at the release in error at HMP Chelmsford. We are urgently working with the police to track him down and I’ve ordered an urgent investigation. Kebatu must be deported for his crimes, not on our streets.

Lord Timpson (@jamestcobbler): I’ve spent decades inside prisons – here’s how I’ll fix them for good independent.co.uk/voices/pri…

Today the Independent Sentencing Review was published. Watch Lord Chancellor @ShabanaMahmood set out the government's response to ensure we never run out of prison places again, and our streets are kept safe 👇.

David Gauke's sentencing review has followed the evidence to see what works to punish offenders, cut crime and reduce reoffending. This government will do what is necessary to ensure we never run out of prison places again.

Yesterday I joined @POAUnion for its Annual Conference to pay tribute to the courage and professionalism of our prison officers. No one should come to work fearing violence. That’s why we’re investing in safety, backing frontline staff, and taking a zero-tolerance approach to assaults.

I am determined to follow the evidence to keep the public safe by reducing reoffending. We have to do things differently, and we can't run our prisons at 99% full.

Today the Lord Chancellor was transparent with the public about the crisis with in our prison system. I’ve been going around prisons for 20 years and the state of our prisons today is unacceptable. You cannot run a system that protects the public when prisons are 99% full. The steps we are taking - adding 14,000 new prison places and the forthcoming review of sentencing we have asked David Gauke to do - are the right and responsible steps to keep the public safe. We must ensure offenders leave prison as better citizens, not better criminals. And we must never be in a situation where we run out of prison places again.

Last night I was interviewed at HMP Preston, where I spent two days shadowing officers when I started in my role as Minister. We are taking steps to better protect prison officers including trialling tasers and reviewing whether protective body armour should be made available.

When offenders leave prison it has to be with a one way ticket, not a return. But more than 38% of offenders currently go on to reoffend within a year of release. That has to change. The evidence shows that curfew tags reduce reoffending by 20%. Since starting this job I’ve been determined to follow the evidence to make decisions that cut crime and prevent future victims.

Minister @JamesTCobbler & Phil Copple joined prison & probation staff to recognise their extraordinary work & discuss how HMPPS will uphold the highest professional standards by driving positive change, building trust & challenging unacceptable behaviour. gov.uk/government/publicatio…

This morning I visited HMP Frankland to thank and support our prison officers. 

Like everyone I was appalled by the attack at the weekend. As an immediate response we have suspended the use of kitchens for prisoners held in separation centres. We have also launched an independent review into how this attack was able to happen. We will set out the terms of reference and scope in the coming days. 
 
I've valued constructive conversations with the Prison Officers Association, and I am particularly grateful to the Governor and his team at the prison for their time today and views. I am inspired by the bravery and the way they have handled this incident.

As I have told them this morning, this government will do everything it can to protect those working in our prisons.

I was proud to sit on the panel of the Times Crime and Justice Commission before I was asked to become a Minister. Its report, now published, is a vital contribution to one of the most important public debates of our times - how we reform our criminal justice system, including our prisons and probation service. We will be considering its recommendations closely. I look forward to discussing the report with @RSylvesterTimes at the launch later today. Full report here: embed.documentcloud.org/docu…

We will be launching an independent review into the attack that has happened at HMP Frankland. My thoughts are with the prison officers who are recovering in hospital - we will do what it takes to keep our colleagues safe.

My thoughts are with the three prison officers attacked at HMP Frankland earlier today. We will push for the strongest punishment and the police are now investigating.

I'm passionate about supporting the next generation of leaders across @hmpps. They will have a crucial role to play in transforming our prison system and helping to reduce reoffending. I am therefore really excited about the launch of HMPPS' new Future Prison Leaders Programme - a leadership programme like no other!

Looking forward to giving evidence to the Justice and Home Affairs Committee this morning, as part of their enquiry in to prison culture, governance, leadership and staffing. It’s a topic I’m passionate about!

A good week: - more money secured in the spring statement for new tech to deliver probation more effectively - Outstanding prison and probation colleagues recognised by HM the King at the 40th annual @ButlerTrust awards - The opening of HMP Millsike yesterday with @ShabanaMahmood , a prison specially designed to rehabilitate and cut crime