§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to require that(a) local authority social services and (b) local police are informed when prisoners with a record of convictions involving the sexual abuse of minors are released. [97969]
§ Mr. BoatengUnder existing arrangements, prison governors are required to inform local social services departments and the probation service in advance of the release of any prisoner who has been convicted of, or has been previously convicted of, any sexual or violent offence against children or young persons under the age of 18 years listed in Schedule One of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933.
On the release of a prisoner who is required to register with the police under the Sex Offenders Act 1997, the prison informs the police for the area to which the prisoner is to be discharged, or, if this is uncertain, the police for the area of the prison establishment.
The Prison Service will be undertaking shortly a comprehensive review of its current procedures for informing other agencies of the release of prisoners, to ensure that it is able to fully support other agencies in their responsibilities for managing the risk that certain prisoners may pose to the public on release from prison.