STAFFING levels at HMP Berwyn have improved - but concerns remain about the inexperience of many of the prison's officers.

The latest annual report of the prison's Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) was published recently, covering the reporting year of March 2023 to February 2024.

In the document, the board's findings include the levels of experience the establishment's officers have.

"The data shows the following 40 per cent of band 3 officers in post have less than 12 months’ service," the report states.

"And 30 per cent of band 2 officer support grades (OSGs) have less than 12 months’ service."

As such, the IMB listed "inexperienced staff" as one of its key concerns for the reporting year.

According to the report, 'regime delivery' is the new Governor’s policy.

The vision and priorities as part of that regime include creating "a safe and decent environment for everyone who works and lives" at Berwyn, as well as enabling employment and accommodation for everyone after release and providing good-quality training, development and support for all.

Other priorities include giving "meaningful and purposeful activity" to everyone, enabling people to be their best - as well as making and keeping good-quality and productive relationships.

The report adds: "The delivery of the published regime is steadily improving, in line with increased staffing levels.

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"Over the reporting period, the number of occupants in Berwyn has increased significantly, from 1823 in 2023 to 2000 in 2024.

"The improvement in delivery regime is evidenced by the fact that the number of applications (prisoners’ written representations) submitted to IMB regarding purposeful activity, including education, work, training and time out of cell, has remained static, at 20."

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “The new Government inherited a justice system in crisis and has been forced to take action across the prison estate, so we can continue to lock up dangerous offenders, protect the public and make prisons safer for hard-working staff."

The spokesman confirmed a new pay deal for prison officers will deliver a five percent pay rise – as recommended by the independent pay review body – and will raise a prison officer’s starting salary to over £34,000.

To help increase retention, HMPPS has created a retention strategy linked to wider activities around employee experience, employee lifecycle and staff engagement at work.