HM Prison and Probation Service Equality Assessment for Fitness Testing 2022-03-30
2022-03-30
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Concerns have been raised about the fitness testing policy, particularly regarding its impact on female officers compared to male officers. The Prison Officers Association has highlighted that more female than male officers are failing this test.
If she will undertake an equalities impact assessment of HM Prison and Probation Service's equality assessment for fitness testing. The Minister will be aware of concerns, particularly from the Prison Officers Association, that far more female officers than male officers are failing this test. Will he meet the Prison Officers Association to discuss this issue?
The HMPPS staff fitness testing policy was reviewed, updated and published in 2021. An equality impact assessment was undertaken in 2021, and it remains a live document. It will be reviewed and updated regularly as work in this area progresses. HMPPS staff networks, diversity and inclusion experts and trade unions were fully consulted during the policy review, and they contributed to the equality analysis. The hon. Gentleman takes a consistent interest in this point, and I am happy to mention his question to the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice, my hon. Friend the Member for Louth and Horncastle (Victoria Atkins). I can confirm that, since prison officer fitness testing resumed last July, 90% of female officers passed on the first attempt, and none failed by the third attempt.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not explicitly commit to meeting with the Prison Officers Association or undertake a new equalities impact assessment despite awareness of concerns
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Concerns have been raised about the current fitness testing for prison officers, particularly that a higher percentage of female officers are failing compared to male officers.
The Minister will be aware of concerns, particularly from the Prison Officers Association, that far more female officers than male officers are failing this test. Will he meet the Prison Officers Association to discuss this issue?
The hon. Gentleman takes a consistent interest in this point, and I am happy to mention his question to the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice, my hon. Friend the Member for Louth and Horncastle (Victoria Atkins). I can confirm that, since prison officer fitness testing resumed last July, 90% of female officers passed on the first attempt, and none failed by the third attempt.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not explicitly commit to meeting with the Prison Officers Association despite awareness of concerns
Response accuracy