Race Equality

The Prison Service must represent the very different communities it serves. At a conference in 2006, Phil Wheatley, Prison Service Director General spoke at length about the management of race equality within the Prison Service. He described the report of the investigation into the death of Zahid Mubarek as “a fair inquiry” and added that…”we need to learn from our mistakes”. The Director General acknowledged the challenge but he and his Race Adviser, Beverley Thompson, both expressed their commitment to ensuring that race equality becomes the lived experience for all staff, prisoners and visitors.

REAG is responsible for race equality for prisoners, offering practical assistance to Prison Service staff to meet our legal obligations, including:

• Ensuring the Service meets the requirements of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 to eliminate unlawful racial discrimination, promote equality of opportunity and good relations between people of different racial groups
• Assessing our functions, activities and polices for any adverse impact on race equality
• Providing practical assistance and advice to establishments and to policy leads
• Developing links with communities
• Ensuring interest groups have access to information about the Prison Service's functions and activities in relation to race.

Working with other Government departments, regulators and numerous external agencies, REAG supports the Director General and the Prison Service Management Board by promoting, developing and supporting projects to meet the requirements of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act:

• eliminate unlawful racial discrimination
• promote equality of opportunity, and
• promote good relations between people of different racial groups.

Prison Service Associate Race Equality Scheme

The Prison Service Associate Race Equality Scheme was launched by ministers on 26 May 2005. It sets out the key elements of the Prison Service Race Equality Action Plan for the period 2005-2008, including the programme of race equality impact assessments and other actions that will be undertaken to ensure compliance with the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.

To view the Scheme click here.