HC Deb 10 May 1934 vol 289 cc1237-8
23. Colonel GOODMAN

asked the Home Secretary how many appointments to matronship have been made from candidates outside the prison service during the last two years to the nearest convenient date; the number of applicants for each of the posts from established female officers; and if in future appointments he will take into consideration the experience gained by years of contact with all classes of female prisoners on the part of existing female officers?

Sir J. GILMOUR

During the two years ended 30th April 10 appointments were made to the post of matron in male Borstal institutions, seven of them being filled by persons from outside the prison service and three by prison officers. In the course of making selections for these appointments, 13 applicants from among prison officers were considered. The qualifications and experience of such officers are always taken into account, but service in a women's prison is not necessarily a qualification for the very different work of matron in a Borstal institution for boys and young men.