§ Mrs. Renêe Shortasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many full-time and part-time prison officers of all grades and medical personnel are engaged in Scottish prisons.
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§ Mr. Harry EwingAt 1st April 1977, 2,165 full-time and part-time prison officers and 24 full-time and part-time medical personnel were in post. Also in post were 15 psychiatrists visiting prisons on a part-time basis, and 198 other staff, including Governors.
§ Mrs. Renêe Shortasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what educational qualifications are necessary for appointment as prison officers in Scotland;
(2) how many applications for posts as prison officers in Scottish prisons were received in 1976;
(3) how many applicants for prison officer posts met the necessary education requirements; how many applicants were tested and interviewed; how many of these dropped out; and how many were actually posted.
§ Mr. Harry EwingApplicants are expected to sit a short written test in general subjects, English and arithmetic, but the educational requirements are not cast in terms of examination passes. 1,191 persons applied for posts as prison officers during 1976. 458 withdrew before interview and 733 were tested and interviewed, of whom 481 failed or subsequently withdrew. 252 were actually posted. Of the number tested and interviewed, 455 met the educational requirements.
§ Mrs. Renêe Shortasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many prison officers left the service in 1976.
§ Mr. Harry Ewing97 prison officers left the Scotitsh Prison Service during 1976.
§ Mrs. Renêe Shortasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total cost of advertising for prison officers in 1976 in Scotland.
§ Mr. Harry Ewing£2,740.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many shifts per day are worked in Scottish prisons.
§ Mr. Harry EwingThree.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many hours per week are worked at normal rates and how many at overtime rates in Scottish prisons:
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§ Mr. Harry EwingIn the week ending 30th April, 99,984 hours were worked at normal rates and 13,000 hours at overtime rates. All prison officers in Scotland are conditioned to a 40-hour week.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many prison officers employed in Scottish prisons attended refresher courses in 1976; and where these were held.
§ Mr. Harry Ewing106. Of these, five attended a physical education course at Edinburgh University. The remainder attended courses at the Scottish Prison Service College.