Mark Isherwood
North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood has emphasised that contrary to some recent reports, books have not been banned from prisons and invited Assembly Members to visit prisons to see for themselves why Justice Secretary Chris Grayling has introduced new restrictions for prisoners.
Speaking on the controversial subject in the Assembly Chamber this week, Mr Isherwood stressed that prisoners still have access to books and that what has been barred by Mr Grayling’s is unknown parcels to prevent the smuggling of drugs and other illicit material, where it would be logistically impossible to check them to the level required.
Speaking in this week’s Questions to the Minister for Education and Skills, Mr Isherwood said:
“Clearly, the ban on parcels, including books, which was introduced last year, did not prevent the availability of books through libraries and prison shops. Books are essential to rehabilitation, self-development, education, and recreation—I could not get by without my recreational reading about matters that have nothing to do with politics.
“However, do you agree with me that we should perhaps encourage Assembly Members to visit prisons themselves to look at the scale of drug and substance smuggling and misuse, which is what the Secretary of State for Justice has been saying in recent days that this is related to? That reflects the offer that he has made to the English Poet Laureate—who has raised this with him—to visit a prison herself, to talk to prisoners and staff to find out what is really going on.”
The Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, Ken Skates AM agreed it would be valuable for Members to visit prisons.
He said: “I think that the point made about security is also very valid. There needs to be a careful balance between the availability of what is brought into prisons and ensuring that drugs and any other illegal substances are not brought on to the prison estate.”
Mr Isherwood added: ““Contrary to press reports, the UK Government has not banned books from prisons. In fact in a statement regarding the matter it commits to continue to allow prisoners to have access to books and to be able to purchase them through prison shops.”
