Prisons (Muslim Gangs)

Oral Answers to Questions — Justice – in the House of Commons am 2:30 pm ar 23 Mawrth 2010.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Peter Bone Peter Bone Ceidwadwyr, Wellingborough 2:30, 23 Mawrth 2010

What recent assessment he has made of the extent of the operation of Muslim gangs in prisons.

Photo of Maria Eagle Maria Eagle Minister of State (Ministry of Justice) (also in Government Equalities Office), Minister of State (Government Equalities Office) (also in the Ministry of Justice)

We take the issue of gangs and security in prison very seriously. We work with our law enforcement partners, including the police and others, to identify and manage risks to safety, order and control.

Photo of Peter Bone Peter Bone Ceidwadwyr, Wellingborough

A former Muslim inmate has said:

"Muslims run the prisons and there's nothing screws can do about it".

After 13 years of Labour, this tired Government are making things worse. Does the Minister agree that things cannot go on like this and that it is time for change?

Photo of Maria Eagle Maria Eagle Minister of State (Ministry of Justice) (also in Government Equalities Office), Minister of State (Government Equalities Office) (also in the Ministry of Justice)

It is complete nonsense to say that Muslim gangs, or any gangs, run prisons. Our prisons are run by the National Offender Management Service and by the staff. We have prison intelligence networks that can identify threats to order and control, and we have ways of ensuring that such threats are tackled effectively. We are doing that as well now as we ever have in the whole 13 years of this Government.

Photo of George Howarth George Howarth Llafur, Knowsley North and Sefton East

Does my hon. Friend agree that the most important thing is to monitor, and when necessary act against, groups that fall under the influence of Salafist ideology, particularly when they are associated with groups such as al-Qaeda?

Photo of Maria Eagle Maria Eagle Minister of State (Ministry of Justice) (also in Government Equalities Office), Minister of State (Government Equalities Office) (also in the Ministry of Justice)

I agree with my right hon. Friend, and I can tell him and the House that such activity does go on in our prisons. The statement quoted by Mr. Bone is sheer nonsense.

A

Why is it that there is violence in the prisons . Even if a prisoner has committed a crime they are entitled to some protection either from their own acts or for public safety. Also...

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