HC Deb 03 July 2001 vol 371 c101W
Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on reductions in the number of prison officers at HMP Garth and HMP Wymott. [2022]

Beverley Hughes

As part of the substantial settlements which the Prison Service received from the Treasury under the comprehensive spending review and spending review 2000, the service is required to deliver 1 per cent. cashable efficiency savings each year on its baselines. Following studies by the Prison Service's management consultancy service, the governors of Garth and Wymott are seeking to agree with the Prison Officers Association a package of efficiency measures including regrading and civilianisation. The proposed reduction at Wymott is 18 prison officer posts and at Garth 10 officer and two senior officer posts, to be partly offset by increases in civilian staff and operational support grades. The governors are satisfied that these changes can be introduced without endangering the safety of staff or prisoners or the security of the establishments.

Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will increase the monitoring of the running of HMP Garth and HMP Wymott. [2024]

Beverley Hughes

All prison establishments are regularly monitored by area managers against over 40 key performance targets, and the deputy director general personally reviews performance monthly. Area managers visit every establishment at least eight times a year and therefore there are no plans to introduce monitoring for Garth and Wymott over and above the current level already provided.