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<p>With regards to when the Ministry of Justice stopped holding data on the number
of certified staff and the reasons for doing so, it may help if I explain that the
MoJ has never collected this information. Whilst Section 89 of the Criminal Justice
Act 1991 confirms that a Prison Custody Officer (PCO) is approved by the Secretary
of State for the purpose of performing escort and custodial duties, it does not oblige
the Secretary of State to collect or publish the information requested.</p><p> </p><p>The
Secretary of State approves PCOs for the purpose of performing escort functions or
custodial duties or both and PCO’s are accordingly authorised to perform them. However,
there is not a process in place whereby the Secretary of State formally issues certificates
to new PCOs, and as mentioned previously, Section 89 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991
does not oblige the Secretary of State to collect or publish such information.</p><p>
</p><p>All staffing matters, including the responsibility for ensuring the availability
of sufficiently trained and experienced staff to maintain safe and decent prisons,
lies with contractors. There is no requirement in the contracts to agree staffing
levels with the Ministry of Justice. Therefore, all staff working in privately managed
prisons are fully certified and, as such, the figures we hold, and have provided on
several occasions, include the funded posts for fully certified staff.</p><p>As you
know, each privately managed prison has a full-time on-site Controller employed by
HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS). The Controller has regular review meetings
with the contractor against a range of performance indicators that will reflect numbers
of staff in post, recruitment, training, sickness, and attrition. Any concerns in
relation to these performance indicators are discussed at these meetings. Where action
is needed, progress is monitored by the Controller and escalated within HMPPS where
appropriate action can be taken in accordance with the contract. This may include
a requirement for urgent improvement and/or financial deductions.</p>
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