Recommendation 63: Basic training on dealing with prisoners

That part of the basic training course for new prison officers which focuses on the development of their inter-personal skills should be reviewed in the light of this report and the lessons to be learned from Zahid’s murder. In particular, two of the key attributes required of the prison officer should be stressed. They are the ability to pick up on what is happening on the wing, which prisoners pose a risk to other inmates, and what prisoners might be worried about, and the ability to earn the respect of the prisoners on the wing so that they are prepared to confide in them without fear of it getting out.