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Offender Management Bill

I support Amendments Nos. 101 and 103. It is of paramount importance that any custody officer is adequately trained to a high standard, especially when they are dealing with young people. I am sure that the Minister will tell the Committee that the Government support a high standard, and obviously I am pleased about that, but I hope that he will forgive me for being a little sceptical and for wanting to see this safely written into the Bill—if for no other reason than the fact that what happens today may not always happen tomorrow. The inclusion of the amendments would ensure that such standards did not slip and it would serve to remind those who run private prisons that some of the public, including politicians, will keep their eye on how they run those prisons, not only now but in the future.