§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the salary paid to the prisons ombudsman;
(2) how many staff work in the prisons ombudsman's department; what is their role; and what salaries they are paid.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe prisons ombudsman is paid at a rate equivalent to the civil service grade 5 salary scale which ranges from £38,341 to £56,953.
The prisons ombudsman's office currently has ten staff, two assistant prisons ombudsmen, five higher executive officers, two administrative officers and a personal secretary. Their role is to assist with investigations of complaints from prisoners about their treatment in prison. The salary scales for the grades are:
- Assistant Prisons Ombudsman (Grade 7) £25,837–£40,012
- Higher Executive Officer £16,000–£21,564
- Administrative Officer £9,393–£12,450
- Personal Secretary £13,322–£16,320
A third assistant prisons ombudsman and another higher executive officer will join the staff in January.