The government’s justice chief has agreed to a review into the way prison officers blow the whistle on working practices.

At the moment, staff have to call representatives within the jail where they work if they want to expose problems within the system.

That is something Sittingbourne and Sheppey MP, Gordon Henderson, who has three prisons in his constituency, wants to see change.

He favours a scheme, independent of individual jails and governors, where staff can phone an independent helpline and speak in confidence.

Mr Henderson recently spoke in the House of Commons at a questions session for the Ministry of Justice.

He asked Justice Secretary Robert Buckland: “Does [he] accept there are grave concerns among prison staff about the inadequacies of the current whistle-blowing system?

“Will he undertake an urgent review to satisfy himself that it is fit for purpose?

“If it is not, will he set up a new whistle-blower hotline which staff can use with the confidence that it is truly confidential?”

Mr Buckland then committed to holding a review, adding: “I repeat the assurance we are reviewing that policy.”

“I want to get it right, I want whistle-blowing to be a safe and meaningful exercise for all staff and I am happy to undertake that review.”

He said the inquiry would be completed “later in the year”.

Mr Henderson, who sits on the all-party parliamentary group for justice, added: “To the best of my knowledge there are no problems in prisons in my constituency but I’m conscious there have been issues and are cases where prison staff who wanted to make a complaint about the management were put off as the current system means they have to contact their prison.

“Most prisons are run very well by good governors and teams but there are situations where things take place.

“What we really need is a national hotline, similar to what the police have."

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