But Constable Len Norman stressed that no cuts have been made to frontline staff and there has been no impact on inmates.
He told an Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel that roles including a health and safety manager, security analysts, facilities manager, vocational trainer and two counselling jobs had been cut or merged into other roles in an effort to meet £1.789 million savings targets.
The counselling jobs had not been filled for ‘at least two years’, the minister said.
But asked if the cuts affected frontline staff or how long inmates spent out of their cells, Mr Norman said: ‘Absolutely not. Access to all facilities are on a rota and timetabled. They are trying to increase the amount of activity that goes on. One of the famous ones [activities] is the growing of poinsettias which they sell through the Co-op and make some money.
‘And walking around the gardens they look after – the quadrangles between the blocks – it’s at least as good as Howard Davis Park, it’s not as big but they are extremely proud of it. They have made some festive reindeers too. There has been no cut backs on activities and frontline staff.’
Mr Norman said the prison now more focused than ever on ‘rehabilitation and reintegration’. Lesley Harrison, who has led the Prison!Me!NoWay!!! campaign for several years, took up a role at the prison early this year as head of reducing re-offending.
Assistant Home Affairs Minister Gregory Guida said that currently there are 151 prison staff and 135 inmates. The panel, which comprised Deputies Rob Ward, Trevor Pointon and Rowland Huelin, acknowledged that in some prisons in the UK staff were outnumbered to inmates by one to 100.
Bouquets of poinsettias are now on sale at Co-op stores.
