Malcolm Moss (North East Cambridgeshire, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice

(1) how many prisoners there are at HMP Whitemoor; and how many list their religion as Muslim;

(2) what facilities are provided to facilitate Muslim prisoners at HMP Whitemoor in practising their religion;

(3) what the arrangements for meeting the (a) cultural and (b) dietary requirements of Muslim prisoners at HMP Whitemoor are;

(4) what arrangements are made for the accommodation of Muslim prisoners at HMP Whitemoor.

Shahid Malik (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Ministry of Justice; Dewsbury, Labour)

On 4 November the number of prisoners at Whitemoor was 436. 157 declare themselves as Muslim.

At Whitemoor all prisoners are placed in a single cellular accommodation. The location within the prison of an individual prisoner will depend on an individual risk assessment.

The Prison Service Standard and Prison Service Order on Religion provide details of the practice of religion in prisons. As part of the multi-faith chaplaincy team at Whitemoor, a full-time Muslim Chaplain is employed to meet the religious needs of Muslim prisoners. Friday prayers are provided weekly led by the Muslim Chaplain. In addition the Muslim Chaplain provides religious instruction classes. Arrangements are also made by Whitemoor for prisoners to be able to observe the religious festivals appropriate to their particular religion.

The facilities list allows prisoners to wear specific cultural clothing and to have specific cultural items in possession should they wish to do so. In developing menus account is taken of the medical and cultural needs of all prisoners. In the case of Muslim prisoners a halal menu option is provided. Prisoners are also permitted to cook for themselves on certain residential areas of the prison.