asked the Minister for Justice if his attention has been drawn to a newspaper report alleging that prison officers receive only one week's training confined to purely custodial functions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Prison Officers.
380.
: Yes, and I regard it as just another attempt to demoralise prison staff by an organisation that purports to act on behalf of prisoners and to have an accurate knowledge of prison conditions. The statement is, of course, completely untrue. The initial training course lasts for ten weeks. After he has taken up duty the prison officer receives further on-the-job training which is supplemented by special courses in many cases. The suggestion that training is confined to purely custodial techniques is without foundation.