§ Lord Chadlingtonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What training is given to prison wardens prior to employment. [HL4327]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalThe information requested with respect to England and Wales and Northern Ireland is provided below. For the information with respect to Scotland, I refer the noble Lord to the Scottish Executive.
In England and Wales all prison officers undertake the Prison Officer Entry Level Training Course (POELT). This is an eight-week course, with time split between the classroom and the students' home establishment, which gives students a thorough and comprehensive introduction to the Prison Service and equips officers to maintain security and contribute to prisoner resettlement.
The course includes modules on security training, control and restraint techniques, searching, diversity, interpersonal skills, assertiveness, mental health awareness, suicide awareness, substance awareness, first aid, radio procedures and peacekeeping.
129WAIn Northern Ireland, prison officer induction training is designed to equip prison officers with a range of control and interpersonal skills to help them perform their duties and meet their responsibilities to prisoners. Staff also receive training on equality, human rights and equal opportunities. The length of the training varies from four to six weeks depending on the specific role of the recruit.