To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 27 January 2010, Official Report, columns 865-6W, on prisoners: gender identity disorder, in what form the advice and information contained within the draft guidance is made available to prisoners who do not request it. (316791)

The guidance or advice is normally given when requested by prison staff who have been approached by prisoners seeking this information, or where they identify a prisoner on reception who is undergoing gender re-assignment treatment. There are also occasions when prisoners have written direct to officials in the National Offender Management Service for advice or information.

The information or advice will normally be given to prison staff in the form of a detailed email with relevant attachments (a copy of the draft document). In the case of prisoners; they receive a detailed written reply which would also encourage them to speak to their personal officer or a member of the health care team. A copy of the draft document would not be supplied to prisoners.