§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he has taken to address the shortfall of officers at HM Prison Highdown in Surrey. [151154]
§ Paul GogginsLocal recruitment campaigns for Prison Officers at Highdown and surrounding prisons have been held. Eight new officers are in the process of initial training at Highdown and will become fully operational on 7 March. In the Kent, Surrey and Sussex area a further 18 potential recruits are undergoing final checks into their suitability for posts in the Prison Service, some of whom are expected to be posted to Highdown. A further recruitment exercise is scheduled to begin in March.
Highdown is also currently operating a Contracted Supplementary Hours system which provides the equivalent of 14 additional officers.