Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate he has made of the number of incidents of bullying in adult prisons in each year since May 2010.

The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) takes the issue of violence in prison very seriously. NOMS policy guidance states that every verbal or physical act of violence must be challenged. This includes bullying.

Prisons have a local violence reduction strategy in place, which includes local anti-bullying approaches. Prisoners are made aware that information relating to their involvement in violent acts, intimidation or bullying will be recorded and could impact on their future parole decisions.

Any prisoners engaging in violent behaviour, including bullying, will have their privileges removed and be subject to prosecution or disciplinary action.

NOMS has systems in place to deal with perpetrators quickly and robustly. Victims of violence, including bullying, must also be supported and protected.

The responsibility for monitoring and managing bullying is held locally. There are no central estimates of the number of incidents of bullying in adult prisons but such incidents are included in other measures.