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<p>HMPPS are considering the findings of the IMB / CRA reports and will act accordingly.
We recognise that race disparities persist in the Criminal Justice System, and we
are committed to actively tackling the impact of this across MoJ. In December 2020
HMPPS launched the Race Action Programme, which will increase the diversity of our
workforce, address the risk of bias in our policies and tackle disparity in outcomes
for prisoners, people on probation and children in our system.</p><p>The Female Offender
Strategy also included a clear commitment to look at how the distinct needs of ethnic
minority and non-British national women can be better addressed. This is being taken
forward by the Female Offender Minority Ethnic working group, which brings together
officials and stakeholders to work together to improve outcomes for this cohort of
women.</p><p>There is no place for racial abuse in prisons, which should be safe,
orderly and decent places for both prisoners and staff. As set out in the Prisons
Strategy White Paper we are introducing training for staff in women’s prisons to address
the diverse needs of all women in their care. This will include cultural competence
training to equip our staff with an increased knowledge of the effects of culture,
faith and sustaining family relationships for ethnically diverse communities, increasing
their confidence and skills in supporting all offenders, including those subjected
to racial abuse.</p><p>Information on the number, grade and allocated duties of equality
staff is not held centrally. The majority of HMPPS PGDs have a dedicated Regional
Equality Lead (Band 8 & Full Time) who coordinate activity and drive a regional
strategy designed to best represent the unique situations arising in that part of
the country, representative of the staff and prisoner population. Profiles for equalities
work are decided at a local level to ensure they best fit the nature of individual
establishments.</p>
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