HC Deb 03 February 1989 vol 146 c418W
Ms. Abbott

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how prison governors ensure that all inmates have equal access to training courses and to jobs.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

In general, inmates are informed of the opportunities for education, training, and employment, and are invited to express their preferences at the beginning of their sentence. An assessment is then made of their suitability for the activities of their choice in terms of medical fitness, educational standard, and motivation.

While the wishes of inmates are taken into account, access to a particular course or specific type of employment is dependent on the suitability or otherwise of the individual and on the constraints of local circumstances. Opportunities for choice may be more limited in local prisons and remand centres and for prisoners with special needs.