§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will tabulate the basic pay and also bonus arrangements, special payments, overtime rates, tax advantages and any other payments that a prison officer would receive for his first year, fifth year, 10th year, and 20th year of service; and if he will give the average gross annual payment currently paid to each category, together with details of pension rights.
§ Mr. BrittanThe earnings of most prison officers comprise basic pay; shift pay; weekend premium pay; and overtime. Assuming that the officer works an average of 13 hours' overtime a week and works 5–6 hour shifts on alternative weekends, weekly earnings at current rates are:
Assuming average overtime etc. as above and taking into account the value of rent allowance or rent-free quarters, the gross annual earnings of a prison officer in his first year of service would amount to £8,200; in his fifth year of service £9,300; in his 10th year of service £9,600; and in his 20th year of service £10,200.
A prison officer may retire on pension at age 55 or above. His pension is calculated as one-eightieth of his pay 525W (excluding overtime payments) for each year of reckonable service subject to a maximum of 40 years: after 20 years, each additional year of actual service counts as two years for the purpose of determining reckonable service for pension.