HL Deb 27 January 1992 vol 534 cc39-40WA
Lord Avebury

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, the reminder to officers who carry out reception interviews at prisons in England and Wales, of the need to inquire sensitively about religious affiliation promised in a letter from the Secretary of State of 19th November 1991, will be issued before 11th February, when the annual census of religious affiliations is taken; whether the reminder will include advice not to prompt an inmate who says he does not know what religion he is or makes no reply; whether it will include advice not to ask whether an inmate was baptised, but if the inmate volunteers that he was baptised, whether the officers will be advised to ask whether the inmate still considers him or herself as belonging to the denomination in question, and whether they will place a copy of this reminder in the Library of the House.

Earl Ferrers

Further advice on reception procedures will form part of more general guidance on reception and induction arrangements for prisoners to be issued later this year. This guidance is intended to help to identify the best way of providing prisoners with the information and support they need during their early days in prison and to ensure that staff recognise and start to tackle any immediate problems which need to be resolved.

The advice on registration will make clear that prison officers who conduct reception interviews should take particular care how a prisoner's religion is recorded so that, so far as is possible, it is exactly as the prisoner requests. Prisoners are entitled to be recorded as having no religion.

Officers, therefore, should not themselves attribute prisoners to particular faiths, nor prompt prisoners to claim membership of any particular denomination. It is not usually appropriate for prisoners to be asked questions about baptism or the degree of membership or commitment to their faith.

The general guidance will be placed in the Library of the House when it is issued, and a copy of this reply to the noble Lord's Question is now being sent to governors of prison establishments.