Prison Officers Association: Withdrawal from Voluntary Tasks Debate

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Department: Ministry of Justice

Prison Officers Association: Withdrawal from Voluntary Tasks

Tom Pursglove Excerpts
Tuesday 28th February 2017

(7 years, 2 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Sam Gyimah Portrait Mr Gyimah
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We are already doing that; we are recognising that difficulty. As I have said, pay packets will go up to about £30,000 as a result of the measures we have introduced in the past week. The independent pay review body will report in April, after which we will take further action.

Tom Pursglove Portrait Tom Pursglove (Corby) (Con)
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The Government’s commitment to opening new prison places in fit-for-purpose buildings, including in north Northamptonshire, is very welcome news. What impact does the Minister think that that will have on prison officer safety?

Sam Gyimah Portrait Mr Gyimah
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Modern, fit-for-purpose prisons will have a huge impact on prison officer safety, not least because they will not have all those corners where people can hide. They will also be good for rehabilitation. Today we have opened Her Majesty’s Prison Berwyn, which is the largest prison in Europe and is taking its first prisoners today. That is a huge step in our efforts not only to reorganise the estate, reduce overcrowding and improve safety in our prisons, but to ensure that they can be places of rehabilitation.