Written question asked by Priti Patel (Conservative) on Tuesday, 7 February 2012, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 9 February 2012. It was answered by Lord Clarke of Nottingham (Conservative) on Tuesday, 21 February 2012 on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.

Prisons: Discipline

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will bring forward proposals to amend legislation relating to freedom of information and data protection laws to enable (a) the public and (b) victims of crime to obtain the disciplinary records of offenders in custody.

Answer: The Government do not have plans to amend the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) or the Data Protection Act at this time beyond measures already contained in the Protection of Freedoms Bill. The Justice Select Committee is currently undertaking post legislative scrutiny of the FOIA and any further amendment should take place in the context of that process. The Government are committed to improving services for victims of crime. On 30 January the Government launched a consultation with far-reaching proposals for improving the support provided to victims and witnesses.

Secondary information