PR 294: PRISON OFFICERS' ASSOCIATION RESPONDS TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS JUSTICE SELECT COMMITTEE REPORT

Responding to the Report on "Ending the Cycle of Re-offending" by the House of Commons Justice Select Committee the General Secretary of the Prison Officers' Association, Steve Gillan said:

"This is yet another damning Report on the state of the Prison System. We welcome the Committee's Report, which highlights severe staffing problems, the inadequacy of training, the dreadful condition of the Prison Estate and failing health and educational provision for prisoners. None of this will come as any surprise to our members, who are on the frontline of this crisis and it comes as no surprise to the POA, as we have been raising these issues with successive Justice Secretary's for the last 15 years. 

The Government cannot now ignore the mountain of evidence that tells them the system is in pieces. They must take urgent action to address the multiple issues that are undermining the Prison System and invest in the short, medium and long term if they are going to turn things around and rebuild a Justice System that rehabilitates prisoners, ends reoffending and is fit for purpose and meets society's expectations."

Mark Fairhurst POA Chair added:

“This damning Report highlights and confirms everything the POA have warned the Employer and Government about for years. If we want a Prison Service fit for purpose we need to reduce the population, invest in modernising the estate and ensure we have adequate staffing to make our Prisons safe, secure and institutions that promote rehabilitation.”

 

Ends

 

Notes: Here is a link to the Justice Select Committee Report

https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/50209/documents/271003/default/

 

 

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