HC Deb 13 April 1984 vol 58 cc419-20W
Mr. Tom Cox

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of full-time teachers employed in each London prison.

Mr. Hurd

The number of full-time teachers, including education officers and their deputies, employed in each London prison is as follows:

Number
Brixton 2
Holloway 6
Pentonville 4
Wandsworth 3
Wormwood Scrubs 8

In addition, the post of education officer at Brixton and two full-time teacher posts at Wormwood Scrubs are at present vacant.

Mr. Tom Cox

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the present financial allowance given to education services at each London prison.

Mr. Hurd

The approved budget for each London prison in the financial year 1984–85 for education staff and for education equipment and materials is as follows. In addition funds are made available to buy necessary equipment and materials for vocational training courses at Holloway prison. Payment to local library authorities in respect of library services provided at each establishment is made on a per capita basis.

Education Staff Education Equipment and Materials
£ £
Brixton 74,299 8,043
Holloway 154,744 8,667
Pentonville 91,075 7,272
Wandsworth 121,700 24,022
Wormwood Scrubs 213,397 17,484

Mr. Tom Cox

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of full-time probation officers employed in each London prison.

Mr. Mellor

The Home Office has approved a total complement of probation staff seconded to work in the five London prisons of seven senior probation officers and 48 probation officers. Within that total the inner London probation service, from which these officers are seconded, has discretion to deploy staff to meet changing needs within each establishment. The present allocation of staff is as follows:—

Prison SPOs POs
Brixton 1 8
Holloway 1 6
Pentonville 1 8
Wandsworth 2 13
Wormwood Scrubs 2 13

Five posts for probation officers are currently vacant at Wormwood Scrubs, and one each at Brixton and Holloway. The inner London probation service is trying to fill these posts as quickly as possible.