Prison Officers (Hansard, 28 November 2000)

§ Dr. Stoate
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to introduce a support system within the Prison Service for staff who have been suspended; and if he will make a statement; [139467]
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(2) what plans he has to introduce an independent support service to support prison officers experiencing (a) stress and (b) other work-related problems; and if he will make a statement. [139469]

§ Mr. Boateng
The Prison Service Staff Care and Welfare Service already offers independent support to staff who are suspended within the Prison Service. The nature of this support will vary, dependent upon the wishes and needs of the client and the level of involvement they wish to have with the Welfare Service.
Staff Care and Welfare Service also provides advice for all staff in the Prison Service experiencing stress and other work-related problems.
In addition, the Prison Service is developing an integrated occupational health strategy which will identify the management actions and support services required to promote mental well being.

§ Dr. Stoate
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures have been introduced within the Prison Service to tackle the harassment of prison officers by other officers; and if he will make a statement. [139468]

§ Mr. Boateng
Procedures were introduced in 1996 which allow members of staff throughout the Prison Service to lodge complaints if they perceive that they had been harassed, discriminated against or bullied by a colleague. Investigations are dealt with under standard Prison Service procedures and if the complaint is substantiated, appropriate disciplinary action follows.
The guidance on combating harassment and discrimination is currently being revised. Mandatory training is being introduced for first line managers which will include advice on diversity and ensuring staff are treated fairly. A review is also under way of all diversity training which will include raising awareness and dealing with all forms of inappropriate behaviour.
I have made it clear that racism must be eradicated from the Prison Service; so too must all forms of harassment, discrimination and bullying. The measures described are part of a lengthy programme of work to achieve this.