Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of trends in the age profile of (a) male and (b) female prison officers.

The largest individual age group among female prison officers, as of 30 June 2021, was under 30 years old, at 38%. The largest age groups among male prison officers as of 30 June 2021 were the following age groups, 30-39 and 50-59 year olds, both at 27%. The number of staff aged under 30 for both male and female prison officers has increased compared to 31 March 2021.

Further information on all HMPPS staff age demographics can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/her-majestys-prison-and-probation-service-workforce-quarterly-march-2021/her-majestys-prison-and-probation-service-workforce-quarterly-march-2021#equality-and-diversity