Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, of the planned recruitment of 2,500 new prison staff, how many new staff will be employed in private prisons; and how many of the estimated 5,500 staff required to replace staff retiring or leaving the service will be employed in private prisons.

The planned recruitment of 2,500 new prison officers and estimated 5,500 replacements relates to public sector prison staff.

Private providers are required to maintain a sufficient number of staff, with the requisite level of skill and experience to ensure that the Prison is a safe, secure and decent environment. We are engaging with private providers on how the new staffing model outlined in the Prison Safety and Reform White Paper will be implemented in private prisons.