Written Question · S2W-15424 · Session 2
Whether it is satisfied with the performance of HM Chief Inspector of Prisons; what criteria it uses to measure his performance; what his p…
The question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied with the performance of HM Chief Inspector of Prisons; what criteria it uses to measure his performance; what his performance targets are; what level of remuneration he receives; how many days per week he is contracted to work, and what financial, human and office resources he has available to carry out his duties.
The answer
HM Chief Inspector of Prisons (HMCIP) was appointed on 18 October 2002, following an open competition advertised in the press and in accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Code on fair and open competition, which can be found at:
www.civilservicecommissioners.gov.uk.
The appointment is for four years in the first instance. A copy of the recruitment literature is attached at Annex A.
There were 56 applicants. Following an initial sift undertaken with the assistance of the Search and Selection company who assisted with this appointment, the interview panel invited seven candidates for final interview. The decision of the panel to appoint he current HMCIP was based on merit against the criteria set out in the recruitment literature. Prior to appointment the Scottish Executive’s Human Resources division carried out standard security, health and reference checks.
Salary is within SCS Pay Band 1 which from 1 April 2005 has a range of £54,788
- £115,616.
HMCIP is contracted to work full-time; is responsible for a budget of £315,000 and a core team of four individuals.
The Scottish Executive is satisfied with the performance of HM Chief Inspector of Prisons (HMCIP) which is assessed using the Senior Civil Service performance management system, further details can be found at:
www.civilservice.gov.uk/management_information/senior_civil_service/scs_performance_and_reward/guidance_and_forms/index.asp. This includes formal review of performance at least twice a year.
The business and development objectives set for HMCIP for 2004-05 are:
To make inspection visits to every prison, four of these being full inspections.
To complete reports of all such visits within eight weeks and to prepare the annual report on the work of the inspectorate.
To complete a thematic review of the “provision of personal change programmes for sex offenders who are in custody”.
To review the theoretical framework of inspections and produce standards for inspections.
To work with the Scottish Prison Service and the Justice Department in producing revised protocols for the operation of HMIP.
To ensure that the necessary performance management procedures are completed by the due dates for all HMCIP staff.
www.civilservicecommissioners.gov.uk.
The appointment is for four years in the first instance. A copy of the recruitment literature is attached at Annex A.
There were 56 applicants. Following an initial sift undertaken with the assistance of the Search and Selection company who assisted with this appointment, the interview panel invited seven candidates for final interview. The decision of the panel to appoint he current HMCIP was based on merit against the criteria set out in the recruitment literature. Prior to appointment the Scottish Executive’s Human Resources division carried out standard security, health and reference checks.
Salary is within SCS Pay Band 1 which from 1 April 2005 has a range of £54,788
- £115,616.
HMCIP is contracted to work full-time; is responsible for a budget of £315,000 and a core team of four individuals.
The Scottish Executive is satisfied with the performance of HM Chief Inspector of Prisons (HMCIP) which is assessed using the Senior Civil Service performance management system, further details can be found at:
www.civilservice.gov.uk/management_information/senior_civil_service/scs_performance_and_reward/guidance_and_forms/index.asp. This includes formal review of performance at least twice a year.
The business and development objectives set for HMCIP for 2004-05 are:
To make inspection visits to every prison, four of these being full inspections.
To complete reports of all such visits within eight weeks and to prepare the annual report on the work of the inspectorate.
To complete a thematic review of the “provision of personal change programmes for sex offenders who are in custody”.
To review the theoretical framework of inspections and produce standards for inspections.
To work with the Scottish Prison Service and the Justice Department in producing revised protocols for the operation of HMIP.
To ensure that the necessary performance management procedures are completed by the due dates for all HMCIP staff.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S2W-15424 by reference.