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Prisons: Assistance Animals

Asked by Robin SwannUlster Unionist PartyMinistry of JusticeTabled Answered 20 October 2025UIN 80770

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what his policy is on the use of companion dogs in prisons.

Answered by Jake Richards

We understand this Question to refer to “pets as therapy” (PAT) dogs.

Prisoners are not permitted to have dogs in possession, but admittance of PAT dogs into prisons is covered in paragraphs 7.32 – 7.37 of HM Prison & Probation Service’s Prison Dogs Policy Framework: prison-dogs-pf.pdf; and section 13 of the Supplementary Guidance: prison-dogs-supplementary-guidance.pdf.

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