Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many allegations of misconduct were received by the Tackling Unacceptable Behaviours Unit by allegation type in each year since 2015.

There is no place in His Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) for any form of unacceptable behaviour. Any allegation of unacceptable behaviour is taken seriously and investigated. Where appropriate, disciplinary action is taken.

The Tackling Unacceptable Behaviours Unit (TUBU) was established in August 2020. Its aim is to help improve the working environment by providing support, insight and expertise to staff who raise concerns. The services TUBU provides include a confidential helpline to support staff who are experiencing any form of unacceptable behaviour (bullying, harassment, discrimination or victimisation); a mediation service to resolve workplace conflict; and an investigation service.

The investigation service enables managers to obtain advice and signposting, and gives access to qualified investigators, where there is an allegation of bullying, harassment, discrimination or victimisation. It was launched across HMPPS in December 2023. It is therefore too early to provide annual figures for the numbers of allegation of misconduct it has received.