Oral Answers to Questions

Roberta Blackman-Woods Excerpts

Tuesday 7th March 2017 Commons Chamber

[Sir Oliver Heald]

In fact, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maldon (Mr Whittingdale) was the initiator of that scheme, which we do support.

[Dr Roberta Blackman-Woods (City of Durham) (Lab)]

9. What steps she is taking to increase recruitment and retention of prison officers.

[Graham Evans (Weaver Vale) (Con)]

15. What progress the Government have made on recruiting more prison staff.

[The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice (Elizabeth Truss)]

In November, we announced a £100 million investment to increase prison officer numbers by 2,500. We are on target with that recruitment, and I can tell the hon. Lady today that 700 officers are currently in training—a record number.

[Dr Blackman-Woods]

An inspection report on Durham prison published this morning shows that 60% of prisoners report feeling unsafe—up from 37% in 2013. At the same time, the number of staff has reduced from 190 to 159. Does the Secretary of State agree that it is harder for prison staff to keep themselves and prisoners safe when numbers have been so reduced? What is she going to do to improve prisoner safety now?

[Elizabeth Truss]

The hon. Lady is absolutely right about the concerning report on HMP Durham. We are addressing issues of recruitment in that prison and in prisons across the country. We have created 2,000 new positions at a more senior grade for experienced officers with mental health training and other types of training. Those positions will be available in Durham, which will help us to retain some of our experienced and valued staff.