HM Prison Service – in the business of people

HM Prison Service – in the business of people

Keywords: Prisons, Human resource management

The UK Prison Service has published its first human resource strategy. The strategy has been developed following consultation with staff and staff representatives.

The Prison Service employs 44,000 staff and spends about £1 billion each year on staff or staff-related matters. Four goals have been identified from the consultation and each goal is defined by a set of key actions.

The goals are as follows:

• 1.

  to deliver professional personnel services;

• 2.

  to bring in and bring on staff;

• 3.

  to reward good performance and effectively manage poor performance;

• 4.

  to value all staff and provide a good working environment.

Gareth Hadley, Director of Personnel for HM Prison Service said:

"The HR Strategy will improve the way we employ and manage our staff. The Prison Service is crucially dependent upon its staff. We will expect staff to demonstrate a strong commitment to the aim, objectives and principles of the service and to be prepared to respond flexibly to new challenges.

"Managers must in turn provide strong leadership, more effective planning and management of performance, a safe working environment, an open and non-discriminatory culture, recognition and development, and effective personnel services."

Martin Narey, Director General, commented:

"The Prison Service employs almost 10 per cent of the people working in the Civil Service, so it is essential that we take full part in the government's modernisation programme.

"When I became director general I made it clear that we should take pride in the service, that we must be open, honest, progressive and free from discrimination, and that we embrace innovation.

Good training and development are essential, and it is crucial that we forge constructive partnerships with unions built on mutual respect, openness,understanding and a desire to proceed by agreement where possible.

"The HR strategy will help enable the Prison Service to achieve its principal aim of effectively executing the sentences of the court so as to reduce re-offending and protect the public."