Tag: Baroness Howe of Idlicote

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Howe of Idlicote on 2015-12-16.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the recommendation of Barnardo’s in the recent report Locked Out: Children’s experiences of visiting a parent in prison, that visits by children to fathers in prison should be removed from the incentives and Earned Privileges Scheme.

Lord Faulks

The Government agrees that strong family ties are an important part of helping prisoners turn away from crime, and the recommendations from the recent Barnardo’s report are currently being considered in the context of the wider prison reforms.

All convicted prisoners have a long-standing statutory entitlement to a minimum of two visits every 28 days. In addition, prisoners may also be rewarded with additional visits for good behaviour and for engaging with their rehabilitation.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Howe of Idlicote on 2015-12-16.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to improve the conditions for children visiting a parent in prison, in the light of Barnardo’s recent report Locked Out: Children’s experiences of visiting a parent in prison.

Lord Faulks

The Government agrees that strong family ties are an important part of helping prisoners turn away from crime, and the recommendations from the recent Barnardo’s report are currently being considered in the context of the wider prison reforms.

All convicted prisoners have a long-standing statutory entitlement to a minimum of two visits every 28 days. In addition, prisoners may also be rewarded with additional visits for good behaviour and for engaging with their rehabilitation.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Howe of Idlicote on 2016-01-26.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Faulks on 22 December 2015 (HL4639), what recent discussions they have had with the National Offender Management Service about bringing the guidance on Incentives and Earned Privileges schemes for men’s prisons in line with the guidance for women’s prisons set out in issue 297 of Prison Service Order 4800, which states that incentive schemes should never be linked to any access to family visits”.”

Lord Faulks

Men and women prisoners have the same entitlements to visits. Both are eligible to family days where relevant, in addition to the normal visits entitlement. Prisons should not treat men and women prisoners differently with respect to visits solely on the basis of their gender.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Howe of Idlicote on 2016-01-26.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Faulks on 22 December 2015 (HL4650), why children’s visits to their fathers in prison continue to be part of Incentives and Earned Privileges schemes when children’s visits to their mother in prison are excluded from such schemes under issue 297 of Prison Service Order 4800.

Lord Faulks

Men and women prisoners have the same entitlements to visits. Both are eligible to family days where relevant, in addition to the normal visits entitlement. Prisons should not treat men and women prisoners differently with respect to visits solely on the basis of their gender.