§ Mr. Coxasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of prison officer staffing grades which were unfilled at Wandsworth prison on 7 July.
§ Mr. John PattenOn 7 July the number of officers in post was 80 below the staffing level authorised for a 39-hour week. Under present systems, most officers would work more hours on overtime.
§ Mr. Coxasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what extra staff are to be allocated to London prisons following the introduction of Fresh Start.
§ Mr. John PattenFresh Start was agreed with the unions on the basis that efficiency could be improved through better management structures and working methods. Work is still in hand on implementation. Some 1,800 officers are being recruited to the prison service this year, of whom about 750 are specifically to implement Fresh Start. The number allocated to each establishment will be based on the requirement to obtain an average of 10 per cent. efficiency gains this year across the prison service.