RESPECT is one of the key support organisations in the Home Office Group, fulfilling an important role in promoting diversity and equal opportunities. I am grateful for the organisation’s support in bringing on minority ethnic staff in the Prison Service and helping to influence policy on diversity and race equality. If we are to fulfill our commitment to building a safe, just and tolerant society, we need both a workforce which is representative of the public it serves and to promote race equality both internally and externally.

We are making significant progress in the areas of recruitment and progression – in 2001/2002 the Prison Service increased its representation of minority ethnic staff from 3.7% to 4.9% nationally, exceeding the 4.1% target, and 7.9% of newly recruited staff in 2001/2002 were from minority ethnic backgrounds. But we still have too few minority ethnic staff at senior grades and our staff surveys reveal that too many minority ethnic staff are still experiencing harassment and discrimination.

This is why RESPECT and sister support organisations such as the NETWORK are so important. The membership of RESPECT is not only a testimony to the commitment and hard work of many individuals but is also a demonstration of the determination of the Prison Service to ensure that minority ethnic staff have the support that they need and deserve.

Your National Executive, Area and Local Committees have now established the baselines of the network, secured funding and negotiated core time to enable RESPECT. It is now up to the membership to ensure that the organisation and its elected officials receive the support that they have earned.