EQUAL responds to HMIP's ‘Minority ethnic prisoners’ experiences of rehabilitation and release planning
In October 2020, HM Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) published its ‘Minority ethnic prisoners’ experiences of rehabilitation and release planning’ thematic review, which found through a number of interviews and surveys that overall “BME prisoners reported that their ethnicity had directly influenced their experience of rehabilitation and release planning (RRP).” The report is clear; the BAME experience of prison and its rehabilitative culture is different and worse than the experience of white prisoners.
Amongst other concerns, EQUAL highlights the lack of engagement with Muslim prisoners throughout the review. There has been little discussion of the impact of race/faith on Muslim inmates and how it may shape their experience of prison, particularly when they are also overrepresented in the prison population.
