Worst prisons in West Midlands in recruitment drive

Brinsford, Featherstone, Stafford, Drake Hall and Swinfen Hall are all after new prison officers after it was revealed that staffing levels had plummeted.

The roles carry salaries of between £19,049 and £24,981 but the Ministry of Justice is will not specify how many jobs are up for grabs.

It comes after it was revealed there are 700 fewer officers staffing the West Midlands' jails with the Howard League for Penal Reform warning that the prison system is in crisis.

And South Staffordshire MP Gavin Williamson has said the service faces a 'Mid-Staffordshire-style' scandal.

Young Offenders' Institute Brinsford was rated as Britain's worst prison when it was found to have dirty cells which contained graffiti and were poorly furnished.

And HMP Stafford, which is now exclusively holds sex offenders, was criticised for its low staffing levels and said prisoners did not get the right rehabilitation work.

Mr Williamson said he has also received complaints from staff at HMP Featherstone about how staff who raised concerns were dealt with.

He said: "This recruitment has to be welcome and it seems that the need for more prison officers is being taken seriously, not just in south Staffordshire but across the West Midlands.

"I think this is a positive response to some of the issues that have been highlighted locally and will go some way towards dealing with improving our prison system."

The job description states: "A career as a prison officer isn't about keeping people under lock and key. Security is an important aspect of the role; but it's also about understanding challenging behaviour, acting as a role model and providing encouragement and support so prisoners can break free from crime."

Research by the Howard League has found that officer numbers have been cut from 1,917 to 1,180 – a drop of 38 per cent – since 2010. According to the charity there are 107 fewer officers working at Brinsford Young Offenders' Institution near Wolverhampton.

And neighbouring HMP Featherstone is having to make do with 50 fewer officers than in 2010.

This represents a drop of 45 per cent and 33 per cent respectively, with Brinsford seeing the third-highest drop in the region.

According to the figures, Stafford Prison is now staffed by 84 fewer prison officers than four years ago, a 46 per cent drop, the second highest in the region.

According to the Howard League for Penal Reform there are a third fewer prison officers at Drake Hall women's prison in Eccleshall while l than in 2010 down to 60 from 89.

While at Swinfen Hall Young Offenders' Institution near Lichfield there are 40 per cent less officer numbers have been cut by 40 per cent. There are now 120 compared to 201 in 2010.