Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 21 November 2018 to Question 190557 on Prisons: Private Sector, how many prisoner custody officer certificates are in force.

The Controller authorises the certification of Prison Custody Officers (PCOs), who have completed necessary training, and any revocations of such certificates, on behalf of the Secretary of State. They do not, however, maintain records as it is the responsibility of the Contractor to do so.

All staffing matters, including the responsibility for ensuring the availability of sufficiently trained and experienced staff to maintain safe and decent prisons, lies with Contractors. There is no requirement in the contracts to agree staffing levels with the Ministry of Justice. It is therefore the responsibility of the Contractor to determine and maintain the number of staff necessary to discharge the requirements of the contract.

As you know, each privately managed prison has a full-time on-site Controller employed by HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS). The Controller has regular review meetings with the contractor against a range of performance indicators that will reflect numbers of staff in post, recruitment, training, sickness, and attrition. Any concerns in relation to these performance indicators are discussed at these meetings. Where action is needed, progress is monitored by the Controller and escalated within HMPPS where appropriate action can be taken in accordance with the contract. This may include a requirement for urgent improvement and/or financial deductions.