Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David T C Davies and Edward Argar

Tuesday 13th November 2018 Commons Chamber

[David T. C. Davies (Monmouth) (Con)]

T2. What is the Ministry of Justice doing to ensure that female prisoners can never again be assaulted on the female estate by male prisoners who claim to be transgender?

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Edward Argar)]

My hon. Friend raises a very important issue. It is important that all prisoners are treated with respect, but it is also vital that the safety of all prisoners is prioritised. Detailed procedures are in place in Prison Service instruction 17/2016 to do that in respect of transgender prisoners. The offences at New Hall are very serious and we are looking at how those rules were applied in that case. In the light of that, I can confirm that I continue to look carefully at the content and application of PSI 17/2016.