§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What results have been achieved so far by the Kairos project at the Verne Prison; how many prisoners are now taking part in this experiment; and what changes there have been in prisoners' religious registration since the project started.
§ Lord Williams of MostynThe staff at the Verne prison are encouraged by the preliminary effects that the course has had on the behaviour of prisoners. Vandalism in the dedicated wing has ceased, and the previously high incidence of recorded drug taking and bullying in the wing has fallen away. The project started on 3 April 1997 with a course for 24 prisoners. The second group of 42 prisoners commenced the second course on 16 October. Of the 66 inmates who have been on the course, no prisoner has requested to change his religious registration.
48WAAn independent evaluation study of the Kairos project is underway and the report is expected in early 1998.