§ 9. Sir L. Plummerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the establishment of prison officers in Pentonville Prison; and by how many the establishment is short.
§ Mr. SimonThe authorised staff of the uniformed grades is 149. There are ten vacancies, but eight of them are temporarily filled by officers on loan from other establishments.
§ Sir L. PlummerCan the hon. and learned Gentleman explain why it is that the establishment is short? Is it because wages and conditions are not sufficiently attractive? Is it because there are no houses for these men? Is not this part of the general shortage of staff in Her Majesty's Prisons, and may I ask what the Home Secretary proposes to do with regard to the provision of the staff so urgently needed?
§ Mr. SimonIt is primarily housing conditions which are responsible for the shortage of staff at Pentonville, and nine additional quarters are to be provided during the year.