PRISON OFFICERS

That this House notes the important role played by prison officers across the UK; recognises that in addition to custodial duties prison officers perform a number of duties including providing appropriate care and support for prisoners at risk of self harm, promoting anti-bullying and suicide prevention policies, taking an active part in rehabilitation programmes for prisoners, and assessing and advising prisoners, using their own experiences and integrity; believes that prison officers are sometimes under-valued and not given the credit they deserve for performing essential duties; and calls on the Government to ensure that more support is given to prison officers who face difficult and challenging circumstances and often face assaults and threats of physical violence.