Prisoners: Work

Debate between Baroness Sharples and Lord Faulks

Monday 8th December 2014 Lords Chamber

[Lord Faulks]

We are always concerned for the welfare of prison officers, who do a very fine job indeed. Benchmark reports incorporate staffing resources for escorting and patrolling activity areas. We are satisfied that prison officers are enabling people to do the work, which was the subject of the original Question. We are recruiting more prison officers but we are satisfied that they are doing an excellent job.

[Baroness Sharples (Con)]

How many prisons have writers in residence and would it not be helpful if there were more of them?

[Lord Faulks]

I am not able to give an answer as to the number of writers in residence, but I agree with my noble friend that literature and writers can contribute very considerably.