From next year judges will be able to impose extra prison sanctions, the Government has announced. The Prison Reform Trust has questioned the evidence behind the plan.
New courts in West Yorkshire, Merseyside and Northumbria take the total in England to seven, as ministers aim to reduce the number of women in custody.
Andrew Snowden told the Commons that prisoners who fail a drug test on arrival at HMP Kirkham should return to closed conditions. The prisons minister pointed to a review led by Amber Rudd.
HMP Lancaster Farms will grow from 584 to 824 places with drone-resistant cells, while 152 places in prefabricated units are going up at HMP Kirklevington Grange.
The Labour MP for Newcastle-upon-Tyne North replaces Lord Timpson, who resigned on 20 July as Andy Burnham became Prime Minister.
