Race and foreign nationality
Over the last few years PRT has submitted evidence to the Commission for Racial Equality investigation of the Prison Service and to the Zahid Mubarek inquiry. In 2005, by conducting an independent review of its work, PRT helped RESPECT, the prison staff support network for black and minority ethnic staff, to improve its service to its members. Launched at RESPECT’s annual conference in October, PRT’s report revealed that over half of black and minority ethnic staff had experienced racial discrimination while working for the Prison Service. It highlighted the important support and advisory role the network plays. Members observed that, while blatant racism was less common, covert  and structural racism were persistent problems. PRT now attends the advisory board to oversee the introduction of mediation in response to racial incidents,  which has been convened by HM Prison Service Race and Equalities Group.

In 2004 PRT produced, with HM Prison Service and London Probation, the first information specifically for foreign national prisoners and a handbook for staff who work with them. In the same year we published ‘Going the Distance’, Hindpal Singh Bhui’s good practice guide to work with foreign national prisoners. As a result the Prisons Minister agreed to increase support for foreign national co-ordinators. PRT’s ongoing monitoring shows that there is still a long way to go to improve policy and practice.