Martin Narey

Prison Service chief Martin Narey has been promoted to second permanent secretary at the Home Office.

The promotion, which was announced on Monday, will not affect his work as director general of the Prison Service - a post he has held since 1998.

Narey has worked within the criminal justice system since 1982, after briefly working in the NHS following his graduation from Sheffield Polytechnic.

"I am of course delighted personally about this but I see this primarily as a recognition of the importance of the work of the Prison Service within the Home Office group," he said.

"During my time as director general the prison population has risen to what are now record levels. Despite this, we have radically improved security and made vital investments in resettling prisoners in particular in educating them and getting them off drugs.

"The Prison Service is taking its place as a public service of real importance, which can change people's lives. I see this promotion as a recognition of that."

The promotion was also welcomed by permanent secretary Sir John Gieve.

"I am very pleased that Martin Narey has been promoted to second permanent secretary. It is a recognition of the contribution that the Prison Service makes to society and reflects the growing focus within the Civil Service on leadership and the delivery of public services," he said.

"It is also a testament to the personal contribution that Martin has made in leading the Service, maintaining a focus on protecting the public and reducing reoffending, while treating prisoners with decency, all through a period of significant pressures on the Service."