Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 17
17
The pandemic and increasing demand on the justice system will continue to put pressure on...
Conclusion
The pandemic and increasing demand on the justice system will continue to put pressure on staff who are at the heart of ensuring prisons are well run, court backlogs are addressed, and probation services are effective. HMPPS told us of its ongoing work to continue to recruit staff after an initial hiatus at the start of the pandemic.25 We heard that between October 2016 and September 2020, HMPPS recruited an extra 3,844 prison officers, that 1,464 officers had recently completed training and a further 522 officers are currently undergoing training.26 The Ministry also told us it has progressed well with recruiting 1,600 additional court staff as part of its work to support the court system to recover from the pandemic.27
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
6.2 The department agrees with the Committee that its staff are at the heart of delivering a world-class justice system and that they have performed extraordinarily during the course of this pandemic to ensure the rule of law and access to justice could continue to be upheld at all times. Significant work has been undertaken across the department, working in partnership with the judiciary, legal and healthcare professionals within the NHS or Public Health England, to deliver a far-reaching programme of support throughout the various stages of the pandemic. 6.3 Supporting staff directly as well as through their line managers has been the department's primary aim for maintaining the wellbeing of a workforce who have continued to deliver its frontline services or who have adapted to deliver priority work remotely. Senior leaders have further increased their visibility to ensure staff understand the support available and focus on the individual through an extensive programme of support services, signposting and wellbeing events. 6.4 As the department moves to adapt to the Roadmap easing, it will continue to focus on how it supports its staff while continuing to deliver high quality services to those in its care and within its courts and prisons estate.