Press Release - The Management of Sickness Absence in the
Prison Service
19 May 2004
Recorded sickness absence by Prison Service staff has increased
since 1999, especially absence caused by stress, anxiety or
depression, according to a report by the National Audit Office.
However, much of the overall increase may be down to
under-reporting in earlier years. Today’s report points out that
the Service has made considerable progress in improving its
procedures for recording sickness absence.
According to today’s report to Parliament by head of the
National Audit Office, Sir John Bourn, staff were absent on sick
leave for an average of 14.7 days in 2002-03, compared with a
target of 9 days. The 668,337 working days lost due to sickness
absence represent a year’s work for around 3,000 full time staff
and amount to some £80 million in staff costs.
According to Prison Service records, the sickness absence rates
have increased since the National Audit Office last reported on
this area in 1999. The average rate in 1997-98 was 12.6 days per
person, although the earlier NAO report established that there
might have been under-recording and, therefore, the figure might
have been as high as 15.9 working days. Subsequent improvements in
data recording probably account for much of the subsequent increase
in the recorded sickness absence rate per person. Other reasons for
the increase include a rise in days lost because of depression,
stress and anxiety among staff and as a result of accidents and
assaults by prisoners. The number of recorded assaults on staff
that led to their taking sickness absence increased from 397 in
1999-00 to 693 in 2002-03.
The Prison Service has introduced rigorous new procedures to
manage sickness absence which have led to a reduction in the
overall rate: latest Prison Service data indicate the average
sickness absence rate for 2003-04 was 13.3 days per person. Staff
absences for periods of sick leave of 28 days or more remain high,
however, and accounted for 478,672 of the 668,337 working days lost
in 2002-03 (72 per cent). Further reductions in the overall
sickness absence rate depend on close working between prison
governors and the occupational health service provider to deal with
such cases promptly.
Today’s report highlights the wide variations in 2002-03 in the
average sickness absence rate at different establishments. Five
prisons achieved an average of eight days or less while, at ten
prisons, the average was 20 days or more. The report concludes that
the Prison Service could have saved 80,577 working days, equivalent
to a staff cost of £9.6 million, if it had been able to reduce
sickness absence rates at each establishment to the average for all
prisons. Further reductions in sickness absence rates depend on
prison governors being proactive in the way they manage their staff
and, at some establishments, overcoming a lack of staff motivation
and a culture of absenteeism.
The report recommends closer collaboration between prisons to
share good practices and the development of a senior management
training programme for governors in raising staff morale and
encouraging a constructive working environment. The Prison Service
should monitor performance of the new attendance score mechanism
and encourage governors to work closely with the occupational
health service to deal with staff on long term sick leave.
Sir John said today:
"The Prison Service has made good progress in tightening
up its procedures for recording sickness absence and now has a
better grip on the performance of establishments. The average
sickness rate remains high, however. Any reduction in working days
lost would free resources which could be used, for instance, to
improve regimes for reducing re-offending rates or to deal with the
increased number of prisoners being held in custody.
"Further reductions in the average rate of sickness
absence among Prison Service staff depend on governors working more
closely with staff to improve morale and to overcome a culture of
absenteeism prevalent in some prisons."
Notes for Editors
- The Prison Service employed 45,419 (whole time equivalent)
staff in March 2003, including 23,278 Officer Grade staff and 6,982
Officer Support Grade staff.
- The National Audit Office previously reported on the management
of sickness absence in the Prison Service in 1999 (HC 372, Session
1998-99, April 1999).
- In carrying out this examination we contracted out the main
elements of the examination to DLA MCG Consulting, the Human
Resource Consultancy arm of DLA, a national law firm with extensive
experience of employment issues.
- Press notices and reports are available from the date of
publication on the NAO website at www.nao.gov.uk.
Hard copies can be obtained from The Stationery Office on 0845
7023474.
- The Comptroller and Auditor General, Sir John Bourn, is the
head of the National Audit Office which employs some 800 staff. He
and the NAO are totally independent of Government. He certifies the
accounts of all Government departments and a wide range of other
public sector bodies; and he has statutory authority to report to
Parliament on the economy, efficiency and effectiveness with which
departments and other bodies have used their resources.
Press Notice 40/04
All enquiries to Barry Lester, NAO Press Office:
Tel: 020 7798 7937
Mobile: 07748 181692