HL Deb 29 July 1998 vol 592 cc202-3WA
Lord Avebury

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What arrangements they make to ensure that disabled prisoners are kept in establishments with appropriate facilities. [HL2928]

The Minister of State, Home Office (Lord Williams of Mostyn)

The Prison Service aims to comply with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and to do everything that is reasonably possible to make its services available to prisoners, staff and visitors.

A Prison Service Order (PSO) giving further guidance on the management of prisoners with physical, sensory or mental disabilities will be issued by the end of this year. The PSO will develop the current practices whereby disabled prisoners are allocated on an individual basis, taking account of the individual's disability. Work has already been undertaken at a number of prison establishments to make physical changes such as widening cell doorways and building wheelchair ramps. The PSO will also give further guidance on:

  • facilities at prison establishments;
  • guidance on reception procedures;
  • allocation of disabled prisoners;
  • advice on the provision of specialist equipment.