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<p>The vast majority of prison staff are hardworking and dedicated. All HMPPS prison
staff are subject to pre-employment vetting checks, including social and digital media
vetting checks, to assess whether candidates meet the high standards expected of them
to work in HMPPS and assures a standard of resilience upon entry. This vetting is
renewed every 10 years.</p><p> </p><p>HMPPS is undertaking a Vetting Reform Programme
and applying the recommendations from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Police, Fire &
Rescue Services report of 2022: “<em>An Inspection of Vetting, Misconduct and Misogyny
in the Police Service</em>” to prisons and probation.</p><p> </p><p>The Department
has not held discussions with devolved administrations about vetting but will consider
the merits of doing so to ensure processes remain modern and robust across the UK.</p><p>
</p><p>We committed to having a zero-tolerance approach to crime in prisons. Our £100
million Security Investment Programme, aimed at reducing crime in prisons, including
the smuggling of contraband, was completed in March 2022. This investment delivered
airport-style enhanced gate security to 42 high-risk sites, implementing routine searching
of staff. We have since gone further and installed X-ray baggage scanners at 49 sites
and invested into new drug trace detection equipment across the estate.</p>
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