Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will make an assessment of potential disparities in the proportion of band 3-5 prison officers over 60 years of age who have been unable to continue in their current role due to the fitness test.

All prison officers who joined the service after April 2001 must pass an annual fitness test in order to remain a prison officer. Staff who do not meet the annual fitness test standard will be provided with advice and support by a fitness assessor on achieving and maintaining the required fitness level. Staff have three attempts to pass before a decision will be required on the individuals’ future which may mean dismissal on medical grounds or re-grading.

For the year 2019 / 20, there were three Band 3 to 5 Prison Officers aged 60 and over who failed their fitness test after three attempts.