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Home Office

Answer

Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what religious beliefs have been declared by prisoners held in the special secure unit at HMP Belmarsh; what pastoral care is available for groups of prisoners of each religion; and what arrangements have been made by prison authorities to respect the (a) religious practices and (b) dietary requirements of each religion. [52462] Beverley Hughes: The facility at Belmarsh is designated as a High Secure Unit (HSU). Currently the religious beliefs of prisoners within the unit who have declared a faith are (a) Church of England, (b) Roman Catholic, (c) Judaism, and (d) Islam. All prisoners have access to ministers of their chosen faith, either as groups or individuals, at least once a week. Additional access can be requested by prisoners, which is then arranged. Religious services for each faith are held weekly within the HSU. In addition, the HSU can accommodate additional services required during times of religious festivals. Timings for religious services are built into the regime. Individual religious dietary requirements are offered at each mealtime and prisoners are able to choose from the selection of food on offer. Religious festivals or celebrations, which require a change in the content of meals or the time of their provision, are also catered for. All food is prepared to the respective religious belief. Prisoners are also supplied with religious items to enable them to practice their belief.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

52462; 384 c893W

Session

2001-02

Subjects

Diets Prisoners Ministers of religion Religion Religious practice HMP Belmarsh Pastoral care

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk