REORGANISATION OF PRISONS DEPARTMENT (Progress made)

Mr P. Govindaswamy asked the Minister for Health and Home Affairs (a) what progress has been made in the reorganisation of the Prisons Department since early 1973; (b) if his Ministry proposes to recommend revision of salaries of Prisons Officers; and (c) what steps have been taken to give Prisons Officers the four off-days per month.

The Minister for Health and Home Affairs (Mr Chua Sian Chin): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Government appointed a Committee to study the reorganisation of the Prisons Department in February 1973. The Committee made a comprehensive review of the Prisons Department and studied, inter alia, the sentences imposed on criminals, the systems of rehabilitation of prisoners and the pay and service conditions of the staff of the Prisons Department. The final Report was submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs in March 1974.

The Committee made various recommendations, including a salary revision for the Prisons staff. The Government has since accepted in principle the recommendations (other than those relating to the salary scales) and directed that the reorganisation of the Prisons Department as recommended should be proceeded with.

Agreement has also been reached with the Finance Ministry to revise the salary scales of the custodial ranks in the Prisons Service and these have been implemented with effect from 1st August, 1974.

Because of the peculiar nature of prison work, it is not possible to give Prison officers regularly four off-days per month. They are given one off-day in a fortnight and, they do not, on the aggregate, work more than 44 hours per week.

Mr P. Govindaswamy: Sir, the Prisons Department's recommendations have been accepted by the Government. Is it true that the salary scales for senior officers have also been accepted?

Mr Chua Sian Chin: Mr Speaker, Sir, I have already answered that question just now. As I said, all the recommendations of the Committee have been accepted, except those relating to salaries. As far as salaries are concerned, an agreement has been reached between the Finance Ministry and the Home Affairs Ministry with regard to the revision of salaries, particularly those of the custodial staff, and that the improvement in the salaries of the custodial staff has been implemented on 1st August this year.

Mr P. Govindaswamy: Sir, has the Home Affairs Ministry recommended to the Ministry of Finance its support for the implementation of these salary scales?

Mr Chua Sian Chin: I have said that as far as the custodial staff are concerned, recommendations for a salary revision had been put to the Finance Ministry, and they have agreed to it.

Mr P. Govindaswamy: Sir, are the senior officers included in the salary revision scheme?

Mr Chua Sian Chin: Sir, the salary revision is for all the Prisons staff. But, as I have said, the improvements of salaries have been effected for the custodial staff.