Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 3
3
Accepted
Prison staff recruitment and training fall significantly short compared to other public services.
Conclusion
We heard concerns that recruitment and training for prison staff falls significantly short when compared to other public sector services. It is not right that promotions often come without proper training for their new role. This undermines both staff confidence and the quality of prison operations. (Conclusion, Paragraph 33)
Government response summary AI-generated
The government agrees with the importance of staff training and outlines ongoing work through the Enable Programme to redesign training and develop capability packages for various roles. It notes this full national rollout is not feasible within 12 months and a new Prisons Training Oversight Function, whose board is not yet established, is responsible for curriculum development.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government · verbatim extract
Accepted
Partially Accept. 4. HMPPS is dedicated to making sure staff have the necessary knowledge and skills to perform their jobs effectively and partially accepts this recommendation. Though there will be instances where staff are temporarily promoted to fill an urgent operational need and may not receive the full suite of training before commencing their role, we are committed to staff receiving a comprehensive induction process before assuming their new roles, which will continue whist they are in the role. This will be supported centrally by a Workforce Planning Guide that we will be introducing as good practice for establishments, which explains the requirement for all staff to receive their induction, which will be a combination of learning from other, formal training packages and shadowing those already in the higher grade. This ensures they can carry out both their core operational duties and managerial responsibilities. 5. In addition, once in role, staff must complete training relevant to their roles. This training is designed to offer practical experience, enabling staff to effectively apply new skills within their professional context and support ongoing career development. 6. HMPPS’ Career Pathways framework provides individuals with access to self-development resources, enabling them to effectively prepare for managerial or leadership positions.
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