7

Amend prison staff recruitment to grant Governors ultimate decision and mandate face-to-face interviews.

Conclusion
Governors must have the ultimate decision on the recruitment of staff who work in their prison. HMPPS must amend its recruitment process to ensure that all frontline staff, including prison officers, undergo a mandatory face-to-face interview process led by Governors or a member of the senior leadership team. (Recommendation, Paragraph 37)
Government Response

A response document is linked to this report, dated 30 January 2026. Response attribution to this conclusion has not been verified. Read the response document.

Addressee Bodies
Ministry of Justice
Timeline
Recommendation age 0.8 yr
Report published 14 Nov 2025