Prisons: Chaplaincy Service Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate
Department: Ministry of Justice

Prisons: Chaplaincy Service

Lord Farmer Excerpts
Tuesday 10th January 2023

(1 year, 11 months ago)

Lords Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Lord Bellamy Portrait Lord Bellamy (Con)
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

My Lords, it is the Government’s intention to see that that happens.

Lord Farmer Portrait Lord Farmer (Con)
- Hansard - -

My Lords, my noble friend the Minister has touched on prisons and probation, but where does the role of chaplaincy sit within the “One HMPPS” programme for achieving greater alignment between prison and probation and a whole-sentence approach? There has in the past been limited joint working between probation staff and prison chaplains, even at key points in the sentence, such as when planning for release. Also, prison chaplaincy sits within HMPPS and community chaplaincy is carried out by the voluntary sector, independent of government.

Lord Bellamy Portrait Lord Bellamy (Con)
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

My Lords, the Government seek greater alignment between prison and probation. The chief probation officer will be a member of the new council of faith and belief. A new pilot will see prison chaplains attending approved premises to which released prisoners go and there will be further collaborative work with the Community Chaplaincy Association.