HC Deb 28 February 2000 vol 345 cc105-7W
Mr. Boswell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the application of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and the Disability Rights Commission Act 1999 to the Prison Service. [112123]

Mr. Boateng

The Prison Service has recognised the responsibilities placed on it by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and has already adopted good practice in the areas of recruitment, training and promotion of staff. It welcomes the establishment of the Disability Rights Commission and the role it will play in protecting the rights of disabled people. As a disability symbol user it demonstrates the importance it places on achieving equality of opportunity for people with disabilities.

The Prison Service has a duty of care to all prisoners and its policies towards disabled prisoners have been developed to meet the requirements of Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (Goods, Facilities and Services). These policies require that disabled prisoners have equality of opportunity to access a range of facilities such as work, education and programmes.