Written question asked by Malcolm Moss (Conservative) on Tuesday, 4 November 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 6 November 2008. It was answered by Shahid Malik (Labour) on Wednesday, 12 November 2008 on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.

Whitemoor Prison: Islam

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what arrangements are in place for the accommodation of Muslim prisoners at HMP Whitemoor; and what the policy of HM Prison Service is on accommodating Muslim prisoners in specific wings of the prison.

Answer: The allocation of prisoners at Whitemoor follows a careful risk assessment, taking into account individual needs, matters such as safety and security, as well as the availability of accommodation. Prison Service policy is for prisoners to be allocated to prisons appropriate to their security category; safety and security; individual needs in respect of sentence planning; as well as taking into account matters such as the continuation of family contact. It is not policy to locate prisoners in particular prisons or any part of a prison on the grounds of religion.

Secondary information