Written question asked by Iris Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party) on Thursday, 15 October 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 19 October 2009. It was answered by Paul Goggins (Labour) on Monday, 26 October 2009 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Prisons

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are taken by the Northern Ireland Prison Service to establish the truth of claims made by inmates that they are related to children.

Answer: Where a prisoner comes under the Public Protection Arrangements and sexual offence prevention orders, non-molestation orders or any other order of the court or notification in accordance with HSS Circular 3/96 "Sharing to Safeguard" is in place, the Prison Service ensures that any requirements with regards to contact with children are fully enforced. In relation to other inmates who claim a relationship to children and where there is no basis for the service to doubt such a relationship, additional checks are not usually undertaken.

Secondary information