Asked by: Antoinette Sandbach (Liberal Democrat - Eddisbury)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what financial checks are carried out on prison officers and civilian staff in prisons after their initial employment period.
Answered by Andrew Selous
After their initial employment period, NOMS staff are subject to additional financial checks when their vetting is due to expire and they require a renewal of national security clearance at either SC or DV level.
Separately all staff are expected to declare changes in their circumstances, which includes changes in their financial circumstances. Occasionally where there are underlying security concerns identified further checks may be undertaken.
Asked by: Antoinette Sandbach (Liberal Democrat - Eddisbury)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the availability of staff and resources in prisons to enable (a) Christian, (b) Muslim and (c) Jewish religious services to take place.
Answered by Andrew Selous
Prisons are required to facilitate and enable religious services for all faiths. The availability of staff and resources to do this is kept under review locally. In addition, chaplaincy Headquarters advisers conduct annual assurance and compliance visits to monitor compliance. Advisers will make recommendations as appropriate and work with prisons to resolve any outstanding issues.
Asked by: Antoinette Sandbach (Liberal Democrat - Eddisbury)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what entry level qualifications are required by prison officers.
Answered by Andrew Selous
There are no formal educational qualifications required in order to be a Prison Officer. All applicants must meet the Civil Service Nationality Rules which govern eligibility for employment in the Civil Service.
In addition anyone applying to be a Prison Officer must:
Asked by: Antoinette Sandbach (Liberal Democrat - Eddisbury)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to improve the provision of education in prisons; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Andrew Selous
Increasing numbers of prisoners are engaged in learning but Ofsted Inspections confirm that one in five prisons has an inadequate standard of education provision and another two fifths require improvement. This is why I have asked Dame Sally Coates to chair a review of the quality of education in prisons.