Asked by: Baroness Barker (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask His Majesty's Government what specific programmes or strategies they have put in place or planned to reduce HIV-related stigma and unlawful discrimination in prisons, including training for prison staff and measures to protect confidentiality.
Answered by Lord Timpson - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
All new prison officers complete foundation training which focuses on professional standards, effective communication, and working safely and respectfully with a diverse prison population. This includes training on identifying and supporting vulnerable prisoners, managing sensitive situations, and acting in line with organisational policy and the law.
Training also covers information management and recordkeeping, reinforcing the importance of handling personal and medical information appropriately. HMPPS data protection and information governance requirements apply across the prison estate to safeguard confidentiality.
In addition, HMPPS, working with Skills for Justice, has developed a core capabilities framework for prison and probation staff who work with individuals with health, care and wellbeing needs. The framework sets out the skills, knowledge and behaviours required to support individuals in a person-centred way, including recognising needs, working in partnership with healthcare professionals, and managing sensitive information. It also supports leadership capability and can be used to strengthen existing training provision and identify gaps.
Prison healthcare services in England are commissioned by NHS England. HMPPS works in close partnership with NHS England to ensure people in custody have access to HIV testing and treatment, and that services are delivered safely and confidentially. This collaboration is underpinned by the National Partnership Agreement, which sets out shared priorities and responsibilities to improve health outcomes and reduce health inequalities in custodial settings.
Asked by: Baroness Barker (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many incidents of female prison staff being raped by male prisoners self-identifying as females occurred during the period January 2018 to May 2019.
Answered by Lord Keen of Elie - Shadow Minister (Justice)
There is no record of any type of sexual assault on female prison staff by transgender individuals in custody. Strict safeguards are in place to care for and manage transgender individuals in custody while protecting our staff and other service users.
Asked by: Baroness Barker (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people identifying as trans have been convicted of offences against women in each of the last five years.
Answered by Lord Keen of Elie - Shadow Minister (Justice)
It is not possible to determine from information held centrally by the Ministry of Justice, the number of offenders who identify as transgender that have been convicted of offences against women, without incurring a disproportionate cost.