Asked by: Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Faulks on 27 April (HL7786), what temporary measures they plan to take, pending the review by the Lord Chancellor of the recommendations arising out of the review of extremism, to ensure that literature of a homophobic nature is not handed out by prison chaplains.
Answered by Lord Faulks
Prison chaplains are already aware that they should not distribute any unacceptable material, including material of a homophobic nature, to prisoners. My Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Justice is considering the recommendations of the review of Extremism. As the Secretary of State told the House on 26 April, a summary document will be published in due course. The full report cannot be published due to sensitive security issues.
Asked by: Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they intend to take in the light of the findings of the review submitted to the Ministry of Justice that reportedly shows that government-appointed prison chaplains have routinely distributed homophobic literature to prisoners.
Answered by Lord Faulks
My Rt hon Friend the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice is considering the recommendations of the review of Extremism.
Asked by: Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what rules they have put in place to ensure that transgender persons are placed in prisons that are appropriate for them based on their gender identity.
Answered by Lord Faulks
Prison Service Instruction 07/2011 sets out NOMS policy on the care and management of prisoners who live or propose to live in a gender other than the one assigned at birth. Prisoners are normally placed according to their legally recognised gender. However, the guidelines allow room for discretion and senior prison staff will review the circumstances of every case in consultation with medical and other experts in order to protect the physical and emotional wellbeing of the person concerned along with the safety and wellbeing of other prisoners.
A review of the current policy on transgender and transsexual prisoners began earlier this year and revised policy guidance will be issued to reflect NOMS' responsibilties to transgender offenders in the community as well as in custody. The intention is to implement the guidance early in the New Year.