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Justice Minister Chris Grayling defends prisoner book rules Justice Minister Chris Grayling defends prisoner book rules
(about 5 hours later)
Justice Secretary Chris Grayling says new prison policies are not denying inmates access to books, despite criticisms from high-profile authors.Justice Secretary Chris Grayling says new prison policies are not denying inmates access to books, despite criticisms from high-profile authors.
Regulations introduced in November stop people sending books and other items to prisoners in England and Wales.Regulations introduced in November stop people sending books and other items to prisoners in England and Wales.
Prison campaigners say it is effectively a "blanket ban" that restricts education and rehabilitation.Prison campaigners say it is effectively a "blanket ban" that restricts education and rehabilitation.
However, the government says prisoners can still use prison libraries or earn money to buy books.However, the government says prisoners can still use prison libraries or earn money to buy books.
Under the changes, prisoners are now not allowed to receive small parcels from outside containing items such as underwear and magazines.Under the changes, prisoners are now not allowed to receive small parcels from outside containing items such as underwear and magazines.
'Vindictive''Vindictive'
Writing for the politics.co.uk website, Frances Crook, chief executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, described the "book banning" policy as the "most despicable and nastiest element of the new rules".Writing for the politics.co.uk website, Frances Crook, chief executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, described the "book banning" policy as the "most despicable and nastiest element of the new rules".
She said the policy was part of an "increasingly irrational punishment regime orchestrated by Chris Grayling".She said the policy was part of an "increasingly irrational punishment regime orchestrated by Chris Grayling".
"The ban on receiving books is a blanket decision, so no matter how compliant and well behaved you are, no prisoner will be allowed to receive books from the outside," she wrote."The ban on receiving books is a blanket decision, so no matter how compliant and well behaved you are, no prisoner will be allowed to receive books from the outside," she wrote.
Authors have also criticised the policy, while a petition has been set-up, receiving almost 10,000 signatures. Authors have also criticised the policy, while an online petition has been set up, receiving almost 10,000 signatures.
Philip Pullman, author of His Dark Materials trilogy, told the Guardian it was "one of the most disgusting, mean, vindictive acts of a barbaric government". Philip Pullman, author of the His Dark Materials trilogy, told the Guardian it was "one of the most disgusting, mean, vindictive acts of a barbaric government".
And Mark Haddon, best known for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, tweeted: "You can no longer send books to people in prison. Chris Grayling's new policy. Appalling."And Mark Haddon, best known for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, tweeted: "You can no longer send books to people in prison. Chris Grayling's new policy. Appalling."
However, Mr Grayling says prisoners are still allowed up to 12 books in their cells and also have access to prison libraries, if they behave well.However, Mr Grayling says prisoners are still allowed up to 12 books in their cells and also have access to prison libraries, if they behave well.
He said inmates can still buy books with pay from their prison jobs and stressed the new changes had been brought in to encourage good behaviour.He said inmates can still buy books with pay from their prison jobs and stressed the new changes had been brought in to encourage good behaviour.
"We believe offenders need to behave well and engage in their own rehabilitation if they are to earn privileges and incentives," he wrote."We believe offenders need to behave well and engage in their own rehabilitation if they are to earn privileges and incentives," he wrote.
He said it was "never the case" that prisoners were allowed unlimited parcels and that the government had "introduced consistency across the estate".He said it was "never the case" that prisoners were allowed unlimited parcels and that the government had "introduced consistency across the estate".
But John Podmore, a former prison governor and university professor told BBC Radio 5live that books were being treated as "luxuries" when prisons should be "encouraging their use not restricting them".But John Podmore, a former prison governor and university professor told BBC Radio 5live that books were being treated as "luxuries" when prisons should be "encouraging their use not restricting them".
He warned inmates may not be able to afford books in prison.He warned inmates may not be able to afford books in prison.
"There is not enough employment in prisons and wages are low so it would cost you a week's wage to earn enough to buy one average book," he said."There is not enough employment in prisons and wages are low so it would cost you a week's wage to earn enough to buy one average book," he said.