§ Jane GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the work of the Inside Out charity in prisons. [86203]
§ Mr. George HowarthThe Inside Out Trust has been involved in the provision of work to prisons since 1994. All the work is charity based. Activities include Braille transcribing, repair of wheelchairs and artificial limbs, sewing and a wide range of arts and crafts work. The Trust supplies materials and arranges for transport of goods to and from prisons. The Prison Service supplies staff, accommodation and equipment.
The Trust has also set up a Charity link scheme, which has been operating since 1996, which aims to link each prison with organisations which can make the best use of the facilities prisons offer, such as making badges for flag days or re-labelling collection boxes.
60WPrisoners, particularly those involved in bookbinding and Braille transcribing, are also given the opportunity to qualify for proficiency exams.
The Trust makes a valuable contribution to work for prisoners who might otherwise be unoccupied. Prisoners are enabled to help other disadvantaged groups through work for charities including Oxfam, Barnardos, the Royal National Institute for the Blind and Victim Support.