§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisons have appointed an equal opportunities officer; what percentage of(a) staff and (b) managers have received racial harassment and discrimination training; when targets for the implementation of the Instruction to Prison Governors IG51/1996 will be met; and if will he make a statement. [125327]
§ Mr. BoatengAll prisons directly managed by the Prison Service have an equal opportunities officer.
The current recorded level of delivered training in racial harassment and discrimination is 9.9 per cent. Records do not differentiate between managers and staff.
The target set out in instruction to governors 51 of 1996, a copy of which is in the Library, was for all staff to receive racial harassment and discrimination training by July 2000. However, legislation and case law have moved on since the instruction was issued and the training needs to be updated. The development and introduction of new training forms part of the Prison Service's diversity action plan.
The Prison Service launched the racial equality for staff and prisoners programme (RESPOND) in February 1999. Under this material issued to all establishments, it makes clear that racism will not be tolerated and includes guidance on language and behaviours which could cause offence.