HC Deb 18 July 1989 vol 157 cc82-3W
Mr. Stern

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he accepts the recommendations of the Central Council of Physical Recreation in their review of physical education in Her Majesty's prison service; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

In September 1988 the CCPR undertook to examine the provision of physical education in five prison service establishments. It visited prisons at Featherstone, Birmingham and Stafford and young offender institutions at Swinfen Hall and Hewell Grange. Its terms of reference were: To determine the extent to which physical education programmes in the five selected establishments meet the perceived needs of their inmate population by taking into consideration:

  1. 1.1 The scale of physical education programmes currently provided for young and adult offenders in the five establishments in the agreed pilot scheme.
  2. 1.2 The problems encountered in programme delivery.
  3. 1.3 The integration of physical education programmes with other elements of each establishment's regime.
  4. 1.4 The quality of these physical education programmes compared with those in educational establishments, other institutions and in society at large.
  5. 1.5 To make recommendations."

The CCPR uses the experience gained from these five establishments as background to a very wide-ranging report with recommendations which affect not only the prison service but many other bodies and organisations with an interest in physical education and sporting and leisure activities. I am sure that the report will provide a stimulating basis for discussion between the many interests involved.

I share the CCPR's view that the physical education branch of the prison service makes an under-recognised contribution to sport and recreation in this country as well as providing a very valuable service to inmates. I welcome the specific proposals the CCPR has for improving this service and its recommendations will be taken into account as part of the ongoing commitment to improve the general standard of prison regimes.