To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prison officers at each prison establishment are trained to use cutting gear designated for dealing with hostage situations; and if he will make a statement. (182147)

No prison officers within establishments are trained in the use of such equipment. This duty is carried out by a specialist team of HMPS staff known as control and restraint (C and R) national instructors.

There are 21 specialist staff divided between two sites based at Oxford and Doncaster. The role of the C and R centres is to develop and deliver all aspects of legal use of force training within HMPS.

C and R national instructors are responsible for providing an emergency national tactical response to incidents of concerted indiscipline, hostage intervention and incidents at height.