Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what sanctions there are for (a) male and (b) female prisoners for not engaging in education or work programmes.

Both male and female prisoners are expected to engage in education and work, as directed, and those who do not can be dealt with under prisoner discipline procedures. Prisoners who intentionally fail to work properly or, being required to work, refuse to do so can be charged under the Prison Rules 1999 and Young Offender Institution Rules 2000. In addition to the range of punishments that can be incurred for offences against prison discipline, where prisoners attend work or education but fail to sufficiently engage, deductions from prisoners’ pay can be made for poor attendance to an activity place and/or for poor performance.

The revised Incentives and Earned Privileges (IEP) policy framework came into effect on 1 November 2013 and, under it, adult prisoners are expected to demonstrate a commitment towards their rehabilitation, engage in purposeful activity (for example, attend work and/or education), reduce their risk of reoffending, behave well and help others. Prisoners who do not engage sufficiently with these requirements can be placed on the lowest level of the scheme.