Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many officials are responsible for allocating sentenced persons to individual prisons; and who is responsible for ensuring that those sentenced are held as near as possible to their next of kin.

There are complex and wide-ranging issues involved in transferring prisoners, and allocation decisions must reflect both the specific needs and circumstances of the prisoner, as well as the operating environment and range of services at the receiving prison.

Allocation decisions are taken by offender management units in each prison, with the number of staff in each unit dependent on the size and function of the prison. In taking allocation decisions, offender management units consult with a wide range of officials including healthcare staff, security staff, and the receiving establishment.

Allocations decisions include consideration of closeness to home and family, alongside other factors such as time left to serve, categorisation, and the identified offending behaviour requirements set out in the prisoner’s sentence plan.