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<p>As part of the Prison Safety and Reform White Paper published in November 2016,
the Government committed to an increase of 2,500 Prison Officers by the end of 2018.</p><p>Between
the end of October 2016 (the closest data point in time to when the commitment was
made) and the end of March 2018, the number of Band 3 to 5 prison officers (headcount)
increased from 18,713 to 21,824; a net increase of 3,111.</p><p>It is anticipated
that 90 per cent of the new recruits will be on the landings by the summer and all
of them will be operational by the end of the year.</p><p> </p><p>This will make a
real difference to the safety and security of our prisons, ensuring they can fulfil
their purpose – protecting the public, reducing reoffending and, crucially, rehabilitating
offenders.</p><p> </p><p>Prison governors are now responsible for setting staffing
levels for officers at their establishments as a part of annual workforce planning
procedures.</p><p> </p><p>The recruitment drive continues and will continue until
we reach required levels across the prison estate, with the same urgency that has
secured this remarkable influx of new staff.</p><p> </p>
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