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Written question asked by Afzal Khan (Labour) on Tuesday, 25 February 2020, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 2 March 2020 (named day). It was answered by James Brokenshire (Conservative) on Thursday, 25 June 2020 on behalf of the Home Office.

Offenders: Radicalism

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to her Answer of 11 February 2020 to Question 12377, on Offenders: Radicalism, if she will publish the training materials on (a) theology and (b) counter-terrorism for the Theological and Ideological Interventions Programme that are used to train Imams tasked with challenging the beliefs of radicalised offenders.

Answer

The Government has formulated a combined response to the Member’s questions given the connected nature of the questions.

23 Chaplaincy Intervention Providers (IPs) have been selected to deliver the Theological and Ideological Interventions (TII) Programme in prisons. All Chaplaincy IPs are existing HMPPS Chaplaincy employees – recommended by HMPPS Counter-Terrorism specialist frontline staff, and subject to Government vetting and due diligence checks.

They were selected based on experience, knowledge and skills in challenging extremism, including but not limited to strong communication skills, experience in supporting the rehabilitation of TACT and TACT-connected offenders, and previous theological training.

It would be inappropriate to release the names of the Chaplaincy IPs, as these are operational staff who are not Senior Civil Servants.

The onboarding of Chaplaincy IPs includes an initial week-long training package on how to deliver one-to-one interventions, theological and ideological narratives and counter narratives; and, psychological therapeutic approaches. Training is delivered and reviewed in partnership with local Counter-Terrorism teams, and other practitioners working in complementary fields. Chaplaincy IPs also receive ongoing training, support and feedback via headquarters, their local counter terrorism teams, and external practitioners.

We are not in a position to release the Chaplaincy IP training materials. This is because the likely threat to the good order and security of prisons, and the implications of this for prisoners and staff, favours non-disclosure of information detailing operational procedure such as guidance around extremist behavioural indicators and staff reporting and case management of offenders’ extremism risk.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
20562
Session
2019-21
Related items
Offenders: Radicalism
Tuesday, 11 February 2020
Written questions
House of Commons
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Offenders Training Radicalism Imams
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk