The Prison Service has recently taken forward a substantial programme of work on race issues following the murder of Zahid Mubarek at HMYOI Feltham and the Commission for Racial Equality investigation that followed. A five year action plan was agreed with the CRE in 2003, and since then we have worked systematically, both at national level and in establishments, to address the failure areas identified in the investigation.
This phase of work was brought to a close with the publication of the Race Review report in December 2008. The report recognises the substantial progress made, whilst also noting that the experience of BME prisoners has not been transformed and pointing to a number of areas where further action will be required.
In his Foreword to the report, the Director General of the National Offender Management Service, Phil Wheatley, writes:
“I believe the report to be comprehensive, balanced and fair. It provides a picture of progress and reminds us of the numerous actions implemented and outcomes delivered since 2003. It purposefully does not call for a raft of new initiatives. That is not what is needed. In so far as the report calls for anything new, it is for a more common sense, ordinary understanding of race, where attitude is more important than knowledge, right relationships are the key to progress and where good prison officers, good managers and good leaders are the means of achieving that.”
Further work on race equality will be taken forward as part of the action plan in the NOMS Single Equality Scheme.
The Race Review 2008 is available for download below.
Race Equality Impact Assessments
As part of the programme of work described above, the Prison Service has conducted 106 race equality impact assessments (REIAs) of national policies and over 1500 REIAs at establishment level.
A list of contact points for obtaining establishment REIAs is at annex I of the NOMS Single Equality Scheme.
We are committed to responding positively where possible to requests for documents to be provided in alternative formats and languages.
Please contact the Race and Equalities Action Group on 020 7217 2522 or REAG@hmps.gsi.gov.uk to discuss your requirements.
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