§ Mr. Freesonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current policy relating to training prison officers in the minimum use of force tactical intervention squad; whether this represents any modification of previous policy; and, if so, in what respects.
§ Mr. BrittanThere has been no modification of the policy, which was introduced in 1978, to train all members of the governor and prison officer grades—except hospital officers—who are medically fit in tactics in the use of minimum force to retain control of prison service establishments. The training continues to be designed to ensure that staff operate effectively in disciplined bodies, under firm leadership; it includes instruction in the wearing of protective equipment, restrictions on the use of force and practice in basic drills, manoeuvres and tactics.