Oral Answers to Questions

Andrew Turner Excerpts

Tuesday 25th April 2017 Commons Chamber

[Dr Lee]

Each and every one of those cases is a human tragedy, and I have looked at a large number of them in detail. Indeed, last week I was at HMP Downview, a women’s prison at which a suicide took place. We are investing in better healthcare facilities at that prison, and I am also looking at access to secure accommodation across the country, because that might well be an issue.

[Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight) (Con)]

22. What steps she is taking to tackle religious radicalisation in prisons.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Mr Sam Gyimah)]

The Government introduced an amendment to prison rules last week meaning that prisoners can be placed in a separation centre if they are involved in planning terrorism or are considered to pose a risk to national security. Those who are spreading views that might encourage or influence others to commit terrorist crimes, or whose views are being used in a way that undermines good order and security in prisons, may also be placed in one of the centres.

[Mr Turner]

What is the Minister doing to ensure that prisoners with extremist beliefs do not oppress other prisoners for their faith?

[Mr Gyimah]

People in prison convert to religion for all sorts of reasons. As I have said, conversion does not mean radicalisation. It is important that prisons have a regime whereby people who convert are not exploited in any way. The separation centres are one way of removing dangerous people, but obviously education and the support of prison officers play a vital role.