Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many Prison Service Reserve Band 4 staff have been employed at each prison establishment in each of the last five years.

The creation of the Prison Service Reserve was announced in June. Staff information will be published in late November, covering the period up to 30 September.

Recruitment for both the Prison Service Reserves and for permanent officers is progressing well. NOMS is currently aiming to appoint around 100 Reserves (full time equivalents), but with the flexibility to develop the Reserve as required. We will also be recruiting nearly 1,700 Prison Officers on permanent contracts between 1 January 2014 to 31 March 2015.