Oral Answers to Questions

Lord Evans of Rainow Excerpts

Tuesday 7th March 2017 Commons Chamber

[Dr Roberta Blackman-Woods (City of Durham) (Lab)]

9. What steps she is taking to increase recruitment and retention of prison officers.

[Graham Evans (Weaver Vale) (Con)]

15. What progress the Government have made on recruiting more prison staff.

[Tom Blenkinsop (Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland) (Lab)]

16. What steps she is taking to increase recruitment and retention of prison officers.

--- Later in debate ---

[Elizabeth Truss]

The hon. Lady is absolutely right about the concerning report on HMP Durham. We are addressing issues of recruitment in that prison and in prisons across the country. We have created 2,000 new positions at a more senior grade for experienced officers with mental health training and other types of training. Those positions will be available in Durham, which will help us to retain some of our experienced and valued staff.

[Graham Evans]

Retaining and recruiting experienced staff is crucial to the success of any organisation. What steps is my right hon. Friend taking to keep experienced prison officers, particularly in the north of England?

[Elizabeth Truss]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. We are creating an additional 2,000 positions, which will be paid around £30,000. They will be available in his local area and in Durham, because it is vital not only that we ensure that we have enough staff—we are recruiting 2,500 prison officers—but that we retain our highly valued existing staff right across the country.