Deeside MP condemns Justice Minister Chris Grayling’s prison book ban

Mark Tami MP for Alyn & Deeside has condemned the decision by the Justice Minister, Chris Grayling, to ban books being sent to prisons.

Justice Minister Chris Grayling

The ban on books being sent to prisoners by families and friends is part of a new “incentives and earned privileges” regime, which allows prisoners access to funds to buy books and other items as they move up from “basic” level.

Mark Tami MP said;

‘Nobody disputes that those people sent to prison should be punished for committing a serious crime but to ban prisoners from receiving books highlights just how little importance this Government places on education and rehabilitation.’

‘The Government excused this policy because of banned items being sent into prisons but the solution to the problem would be to screen items not to ban books. To think that a Government would choose to restrict education for prisoners in this way is reminiscent of a Dickensian prison system and does nothing prevent offenders re-offending and in turn people becoming victims of crime.’

Chris Grayling MP said the measures were the kind of change the public wanted to see – “a regime that is more spartan unless you do the right thing”

Grayling said the big change in the prison regime meant prisoners no longer got privileges just by “keeping your nose clean” but by engaging in “proper rehabilitative activity”.