Information on the number of officer grade staff employed within the public sector Prison Service and the contracted estate each year since 1992 is contained in the following table.
Total officers 31 March 1992 22,961 31 March 1993 24,121 31 March 1994 23,951 31 March 1995 24,448 31 March 1996 24,593 31 March 1997 23,058 31 March 1998 23,602 31 March 1999 24,113 31 March 2000 24,346 31 March 20012 24,023 31 March 20022 23,681 31 March 2003 24,527 31 March 20042 25,461 31 March 2005 26,246 31 March 2006 26,747 31 March 20073 27,053 1 Figures include both publicly and privately managed establishments. Figures relate to prison officers, senior officers and principal officers within the public sector Prison Service and prison custody officers within contacted prisons. Officers employed within public sector Prison Service headquarters are included. 2 Private contractors have not been able to supply information for; Ashfield and Doncaster prior to 2002, Dovegate in 2004, 2002 and 2001, Forest Bank, Altcourse, Rye Hill and Wolds prior to 2004 and Lowdham Grange in 2005, 2004 and prior to 2002. 3 Figures for 2007 relating to contracted establishments refer to 31 January 2007 except for Parc, Forest Bank, Bronzefield and Peterborough.