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Prison Service: Political Activities

Volume 491: debated on Tuesday 21 April 2009

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what guidance is provided to HM Prison Service staff in respect of political activity; and if he will make a statement. (268760)

The advice given to staff in HM Prison Service is exactly the same as that given to all civil servants. The advice is contained within the Prison Service Staff Handbook and is drawn from the generic guidance in the Civil Service Code.

Political activities are divided into two areas; local and national. The freedom and extent to which staff may engage in political activities is dependant on the grade of the member of staff and which of the following three groups they fall into: politically free, intermediate or politically restricted.

The general principle that applies to staff that wish to engage in political activities is that every care should be taken to avoid causing any embarrassment to Ministers and the Prison Service by engaging in matters that are deemed to be politically controversial.