Evidence session from @CommonsJustice with Robert Buckland and senior officials has begun. We're hearing about the work being done on the new changes to social distancing and what it means for the courts.

Will the government restrict the right to jury trials? asks @neill_bob. "Juries are the worst system, apart from all the others" responds the Secretary of State. He wants to resist such restrictions but he won't rule them out due to the prospect of further trial delays.

Andy Slaughter raises the fact that jury trials were singled out in the Lammy Review as one of the few parts of the system to *not* evidence inherent unfairness for black and ethnic minority defendants. Restricting jury trials would lead to further unfair outcomes.

Rob Butler suggests a temporary use of extended sentencing powers for magistrates already on the statute book. That has been dismissed as an idea as it wouldn't sufficiently reduce the backlog, answers Robert Buckland.

James Daly raises the fact that technology is creating delays in the magistrates courts, rather than speeding things up. This is a matter of widespread comment and was witnessed recently by @PenelopeGibbs2

As of 19 June, Buckland says there are 505 confirmed COVID cases among prisoners + 984 confirmed COVID cases among staff. 24 prisoners + 9 staff have sadly died. The total fatalities for prisoners is more than double that of staff (despite double the number of infected staff).

Paula Barker raises 'rogue governors' making decisions that risk lives and bullying staff. It sounds as if correspondence on these allegations will be sent to HMPPS following today's evidence session.

Robert Buckland says he will consider a whistleblowing hotline, after Richard Burgon presses on the concerns of the trade unions.

Kenny MacAskill raises the problems of prisoners accessing physical exercise and showers, as well as concerns around mental health. On the latter, Robert Buckland says that quarterly self-harm statistics have fallen. He promises some 'mature reflection' on why this might be.

Asked when restrictions to prison regimes will be relaxed, Robert Buckland talks about flexibility and a 'carefully calibrated' framework. Different prisons might find themselves in different places within this framework. But no dates yet beyond 'the next few weeks'.

Robert Buckland is talking about the temporary cell accommodation being introduced and provides some figures, which I just missed. He seems to be confirming he wants to continue to use this accommodation once the crisis is over.

Asked about the pitiful use of Early Custody Temporary Release (only 175 releases so far), Robert Buckland backs away from the original target of 4,000 eligible prisoners. Pressed on whether he has 'stood it down' as a target, Buckland says no. He is using it in 'a careful way'.

Andy Slaughter quotes from the letter @TheHowardLeague and @PRTuk sent to Robert Buckland. Buckland refers to his recovery plan. He doesn't address our concerns about what happens when the courts start filling the prisons again https://howardleague.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Letter-to-SoS-from-Howard-League-PRT-2.pdf

We're on to the use of pepper sprays. Our @PRTuk colleagues have recently raised concerns on the roll out of PAVA in prisons http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/PressPolicy/News/vw/1/ItemID/871

Robert Buckland re-affirms a commitment to the recommendations of the Lammy Review. We are in the interesting position of David Lammy now being his opposite number on the shadow front benches.

We're on to probation reform. Robert Buckland is explaining the recent (welcome!) decision to knock the final nail into the coffin for the Grayling-era market reforms. The current system had 'run its course' and it was time to move forward in a 'straightforward' manner.