Vol. 461 No. 8
19 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for Justice the incentives, if any, offered to prisoners to take up work while in prison; the number of offenders who participate in work or education facilities; the number of prisoners who opt not to do anything; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3912/96]
At present a gratuity of £1 per day is paid to each prisoner whose conduct and industry are good, as provided for in the 1947 Rules for the Government of Prisons. The gratuity is reviewed from time to time.
I am about to introduce, on a pilot basis, a minimal payment which will relate directly to the prisoner's work output — it will be a form of payment for productivity. This pilot scheme is taking place in a number of the activities at Mountjoy Prison and will involve about 100 prisoners.
I refer the Deputy to my Department's policy document The Management of Offenders—A Five Year Plan published in 1994. Chapter 10 outlines the current position in regard to work and training in the prison system and plans for the future.
Briefly, the document points out that there is now a wide range of work and training activities in the prison system that have been developed by a corps of staff specially recruited and trained for them. The training activities include welding, machinery, engineering, drawing, construction, painting, decorating, printing, electronics, catering and computer skills. Most of these courses are now certificated by the City and Guilds of London or other bodies. Manufacturing activities involve clothing, furniture, printing, banking, laundry, cleaning and grounds upkeep.
