Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the training requirements are for new prison officers; and (a) how and (b) where is that training delivered.

Rory Stewart, Minister of State, Ministry of Justice: Newly recruited prison officers are required to complete a 12 week Prison Officer Entry Level Training (POELT) course. This provides new officers with a foundation level of training in all core skill areas including interpersonal skills, mental health awareness, equality, violence reduction and safer custody, alongside the more traditional security awareness and practical skills needed to be a prison officer.

HMPPS deliver POELT training nationally from 37 centres, which are a mixture of prison sites and Learning and Development learning centres. These venues can change depending on the recruitment demand. Training is classroom delivery alongside the practical elements which are delivered in a dojo and cell area. We are currently reviewing our training courses.

Hansard

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