Policy Hub
The Howard League for Penal Reform released a report on 2 September 2009 recommending that prison officers should be educated to degree level in order to better manage prisons and reduce reoffending rates.
At present, the report notes that prison officers undergo eight weeks training before taking responsibility for safety and security within a prison. Officers have to deal with a wide range of complicated issues, each requiring different skills and knowledge; for example, 80% of prisoners have mental health problems while 55% of those received into custody are judged to be problematic drug users.
The report finds that demands on prison officers are growing as the prison population increases. Between 2000 and 2006 the prison population grew by 24% while the number of prison officers only increased by 9%.
The Howard League contends that more needs to be done to prepare prison officers and create safer, dynamic prisons. It suggests that the prison officer’s job should be compared to that of a social worker, nurse or a teacher, which over the years have all become recognised professions. If crucial training and education are withheld, the Howard League believes that the prison service will fail its staff and put them at risk.
Turnkeys or professionals? A vision for the 21st century prison Officer (PDF)