Ministry of Justice spends £1.7m yearly on prison diversity unit

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 15:44 · Archive

The Ministry of Justice employs 20 staff in a 'disparities unit' studying diversity in prisons and probation at a cost of £1.7 million annually.

The Ministry of Justice employs 20 full-time staff in a 'disparities unit' that provides support and guidance on diversity and inclusion in prisons and probation services, costing £1.7 million annually. Internal Ministry of Justice documents show the unit was renamed and expanded in October 2024, and is currently advertising for an 'HMPPS disparities analyst' role with a salary of up to £53,081 a year.

Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy, who uncovered the figures, criticised the spending as Labour faces criticism over an early release scheme intended to tackle prison overcrowding. Up to 50,000 prisoners are expected to be released each year under the current scheme, which has already seen at least 700 inmates released since the start of October.

Mr Timothy said the money would be better spent on increasing space within the prison estate and improving conditions for prison officers. The Ministry of Justice did not provide comparable figures for earlier years, stating that the area of work 'underwent changes in scope and structure during the specified period'.

How it is being reported

• Labour blasted for spending £1.7m a year on 'finding ways to claim prisons are racist' amid overcrowding crisisShadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy has criticised a "diversity, equality and inclusion" prison initiative costing close to £2million a year. A bombshell report revealed the "disparities unit" employs 20 full-time members of staff. The group engages in the task of "provid[ing] support and guidance to those responsible for oversight of Diversity and Inclusion in prisons and probation services". Internal Ministry of Justice documents show the unit was renamed and expanded in October 2024. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say It is currently advertising for the role of "HMPPS disparities analyst"…GB News · 21 Oct, 15:32
• What prison crisis? £2million a year is wasted on 'finding ways to say jails are racist' - as thousands of criminals are let out due to lack of spaceNew figures show the department employs 20 staff at a cost of £1.7million a year in a 'disparities unit' to study diversity in jail and probation.Daily Mail · 20 Oct, 22:17

In this story: Ministry of Justice · Nick Timothy · Catherine McKinnell

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