Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Prison Officers: Terms and Conditions of Service

Tuesday 8 July 2025 · 2 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 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Seamus Logan inquired about the status of correspondence regarding prison officers' terms and conditions of service.
  • The Minister confirmed ongoing engagement with the Prison Officers Association and a recent meeting to discuss concerns.
  • Robert Jenrick questioned the government's response to attacks on prison officers by Islamist terrorists and the teaching of bomb-making skills in prisons.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Seamus Logan SNP Aberdeenshire North and Moray East
Justice & Courts
Context

Seamus Logan has been seeking updates on the review of terms and conditions of service for prison officers since October. He had received responses indicating that the situation was being 'kept under review'. The Minister had a recent meeting with Seamus Logan to discuss these issues.

Question

I have been in correspondence with the Minister of State for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending last October, but he sits in the other place. In January, I was advised by the Minister here that the Secretary of State was awaiting advice about the range of terms and conditions issues for prison officers. Later in the spring, again from the Dispatch Box, it was said that the situation is being kept under review. Given this nine-month duration of inquiry, can you provide an update on progress with the advice received and what exactly is being reviewed?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Sir Nicholas Dakin)

We are fully engaged with the Prison Officers Association on this issue. The hon. Member and I had a useful meeting recently to explore these issues, reaffirming that the Lord Chancellor and the Department are committed to addressing concerns related to prison officers.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask for an update on advice received and what exactly is being reviewed was not addressed with concrete details.

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Q2 Robert Jenrick Reform Newark
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

There has been a recent increase in attacks on prison officers by Islamist extremists, with reports that these individuals are teaching organised criminals bomb-making skills. Former governors have expressed concern over the threat posed to frontline staff.

Question

There has been a spate of attacks on prison officers in recent months by Islamist terrorists. One study revealed that terrorists inside prisons are teaching organised criminals how to make bombs, making the situation intolerable for frontline staff according to former governors. Can you provide an assessment of the threat from these gangs and what actions your department is taking to address it?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Sir Nicholas Dakin)

We have invested £40 million to stop contraband, which includes enhancing security and easing crowding to curb violence. We mandate the use of protective body armour in high-risk units and on the long-term high-security estate where some of the most dangerous prisoners are held.

Answered
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