Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Prison Officer Numbers

Tuesday 27 June 2023 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The government is committed to recruiting 5,000 additional prison officers across public and private prisons by the mid-2020s.
  • Recent improvements in recruitment have been noted, with 655 new full-time equivalent officers appointed between December 2022 and March 2023.
  • The Minister has discussed with the Prison Officers Association issues related to recruitment and retention of prison officers.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew Selous Con
Policing & Resources Justice & Courts
Context

Concern over the adequacy of prison officers, noting recent violence incidents and difficulties in recruitment.

Question

What steps he is taking to ensure that there is an adequate number of prison officers. At risk of being potted, kettled or attacked with toothbrushes that have razors fastened to the end, the work of a prison officer is not for the faint-hearted, yet their role is essential to keeping us free.

Answer from Damian Hinds

We are committed to recruiting 5,000 additional prison officers across the public and private estate by the mid-2020s. We have seen recent improvements in recruitment, with 655 additional full-time equivalent officers appointed between December 2022 and March 2023 alone.

Answered
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Q2 Andrew Selous Con
Justice & Courts Standards & Ethics
Context

Concern about lack of recognition for prison officers' service and difficulty in recruitment.

Question

We have just celebrated Armed Forces Week, and rightly so—I say that as a former veteran—but it troubles me that we do not have a similar week to celebrate the work of prison officers. We do not do enough to recognise their service to keep us all safe and free, across society. Can we change that, please, and urgently?

Answer from Damian Hinds

My hon. Friend is right about the paramountcy of safety for our brave staff, which is why we have been investing in security, body-worn cameras, PAVA spray and so on. He is also right that prison officers are often hidden heroes in our society, and they do not always get the recognition they deserve. As it happens, this evening is His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service staff awards, which I am looking forward to attending, and I am keen to find more ways to publicly recognise these incredible people for what they do.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Establishing a specific week or event dedicated to recognising prison officers was not committed to directly.

How: We Are Looking For More Ways To Recognise The Work Of Prison Officers.

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Q3 John Cryer Lab
Justice & Courts
Context

Concern over high turnover rates among prison officers.

Question

According to the Prison Officers Association, the turnover rate among officers is still very high. What discussions has the Minister had with the POA about not only recruitment but retention?

Answer from Damian Hinds

I have spoken to the POA about recruitment and retention, as the hon. Gentleman would expect. We have recently seen about a 1 percentage point improvement in the resignation rate, which is significant, but we have to make sure that all aspects of the job are right.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures and discussions on retention were not detailed.

How: We Have Seen Improvements In Resignation Rates.

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