§ Mr. Tony Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) under what circumstances prisoners in Northern Ireland are denied the opportunity to practise their religion, including attending services; and if he will make a statement;
(2) how many prisoners in Northern Ireland prisons are not allowed to practise their religion, including attending services; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ScottThere are no circumstances in which a prisoner in Northern Ireland is denied the opportunity to practise his religion, but it is not practicable to hold separate services for each and every religious denomination. Prison rules provide for the appointment of prison chaplains, and for prisoners belonging to denominations for which no chaplain has been appointed to be visited regularly by an appropriate clergyman.
Prisoners are generally free to attend the services of their denomination, but it may be necessary on occasions to refuse an individual inmate where there are grounds for believing that he is likely to create a disturbance; or on security grounds to limit the number of prisoners attending a particular service.