HC Deb 13 March 1990 vol 169 cc138-9W
Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the policy of his Department on informing inmates in prisons in England and Wales who do not speak or understand English as to the rules existing in prison; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Mellor

All prisoners, when they are first received into prisons, are provided with an information booklet which they are allowed to keep in their possession during their sentence. There are versions of this booklet in English and 12 other languages.

If a prisoner cannot for any reason understand this written information, the governor will arrange for an oral explanation using interpreting facilities where necessary.