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Home Office

Answer

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for The Home Department what action he is taking to stop bullying and violence among inmates in young offender institutions; and if he will make a statement. [191957] Paul Goggins: Reducing violence, in all its forms, is fundamental to the objectives of the Prison Service. By constructively and consistently taking action to prevent violence and promote fairness and decency, prisons can offer a structured environment in which to influence future behaviour, encourage positive communication and develop social skills that assist offenders with rehabilitation. Further, maintaining a safe environment reduces stress and anxiety, and promotes individual, organisational and public confidence. All Prison Service establishments, including young offender institutions, are required by Prison Service Order 2,750 to have (by November 2004) a strategy to reduce violence. The Prison Service's definition of violence is `any incident in which a person is, abused, threatened, or assaulted. This includes an explicit or implicit challenge to their safety, well-being or health. The resulting harm may be physical, emotional or psychological.' Moreover all prison establishments are required to have an anti-bullying strategy in place, under the umbrella of violence reduction. The Prison Service's desired approach to perpetrators is one where: Personal responsibility for incidents is based on an understanding of the causes, rather than allocating blame; Wherever possible, a responsive rather than a reactive approach from the organisation is taken; and While an assailant is left in no doubt that the behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated, sustained, reasoned change in behaviour rather than retribution is sought.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

426 c1146-8W;426 c1150-2W; 191957

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Bullying Crimes against the person Crimes of violence Young offenders Violence Young offender institutions

Link

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