Prisons: Chaplaincy Service

Debate between Lord Pearson of Rannoch and Lord Bellamy

Tuesday 10th January 2023 Lords Chamber

[Lord Bellamy (Con)]

I can give the noble Lord the assurance that he seeks.

[Lord Pearson of Rannoch (Non-Afl)]

My Lords, is the Minister aware that some 60% of our managing prison chaplains are now Muslims, while only some 17% of our prisoners share that faith? What do the Government think this imbalance may be doing for the promotion of Islamism in our prisons, and what do they feel they should do about it?

[Lord Bellamy (Con)]

My Lords, I have no reason to suppose that the Muslim chaplains in the chaplaincy service, where they are appointed, are doing anything other than providing multifaith belief and support to the whole of that prison population.