Asked by: Robin Swann (Ulster Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what his policy is on the use of companion dogs in prisons.
Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip
We understand this Question to refer to “pets as therapy” (PAT) dogs.
Prisoners are not permitted to have dogs in possession, but admittance of PAT dogs into prisons is covered in paragraphs 7.32 – 7.37 of HM Prison & Probation Service’s Prison Dogs Policy Framework: prison-dogs-pf.pdf; and section 13 of the Supplementary Guidance: prison-dogs-supplementary-guidance.pdf.
Asked by: Robin Swann (Ulster Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prisons use companion dogs.
Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip
We understand this question to refer to “pets as therapy” (PAT) dogs. This information could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
Application for the use of PAT dogs is open to all prisons, with admittance requiring the authority of the Governor.