Prison Service launches equality plan

THE Prison Service has launched a two-year plan to tackle sexual harassment, bullying and discrimination in the service following an agreement with equality watchdog the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).

The plan is a response to last summer’s inquiry by the EHRC which revealed that over a quarter of staff experienced inappropriate behaviour they found offensive. And an annual staff survey by the service – which has been the subject of several sexual harassment tribunals in recent years – revealed that only half of employees felt that managers challenged this behaviour effectively.

The service said that the new plan provides “training for managers to handle complaints effectively, sensitively and swiftly, and for all staff to be aware of, and take seriously their responsibilities to recognise and challenge inappropriate behaviour when it occurs.”