Crime Solicitors

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has started to recruit a reserve force of prison officers for England and Wales.

BBC News reports that former prison officers have been approached to “gauge interest” – those who sign up to the scheme could start working on short-term contracts in prisons as soon as August.

The MoJ said in a letter to targeted personnel that the reserve force of prison officers would cover periods when there was exceptional demand for more staff, as well as in response to “operational pressures”.

In the last year, incidents involving prisoner unrest have been put down to staff shortages in prisons which have impacted on inmates.

Prisoners may have to forego certain privileges, such as exercise or education and training periods, if insufficient staff are available to supervise them – and this can raise tensions within a prison.

A former prisoner officer contacted by letter by the MoJ told the BBC that the reserve force was in response to “a critical shortage of prison officers in prisons up and down the country,” according to the MoJ.

Around 100 “reservists” are being recruited by the MoJ – which last month told already overcrowded jails that they would have to accept more prisoners.

There are currently around 85,000 prisoners in England and Wales and the prison population is growing more rapidly than anticipated.

Prison officers who voluntarily left their jobs early would have to repay any payments they have received as a result, if they join the reserve force. The MoJ has also warned in its letter that returning to work in the Prison Service might also impact on pension payments.

A former prison officer who received a letter about the reserve force has also told the BBC that the terms offered amounted to a “zero hours” contract.

It is reported that the former prison officers who do sign up to the reserve force will be deployed wherever needed in England and Wales. Reservist contracts are expected to last between three and nine months.

Duncan Lewis Crime Lawyers – Prisoners’ Rights in Custody

Duncan Lewis crime lawyers can advise those in custody – including those detained at Young Offender Institutions or immigration detention centres – on their rights while in custody.

Prison Service Instructions (PSIs) set out the rules, regulations and guidelines on how prisons should be run.

Duncan Lewis crime lawyers can advise prisoners on any breach of their rights in prison, including breaches of Human Rights – and issues relating to access to healthcare and mental health services, or personal injury claims for injuries sustained in prison as a result of unprovoked physical, sexual or psychological abuse.

Duncan Lewis crime lawyers also regularly visit police stations, courts and prisons to advise on appeals against convictions and sentencing, as well as Parole Board applications.

For expert legal help with criminal law and prisoners’ rights, contact Duncan Lewis crime lawyers on 020 7923 4020.