Martin Narey

A new anti-corruption drive seeking to raise standards of honesty and integrity in the Prison Service has been launched.

Under a new scheme, prison officers will be able to confidentially report on any inappropriate practices which they experience.

Launched on Monday, the Professional Standards Unit offers a "reporting wrongdoing" telephone and PO Box address for employees to report activities such as bullying, discrimination, illegal actions and corruption.

Staff will also be able to report if a colleague is vulnerable to the manipulative practices of prisoners.

"I am aware that the Prison Service, like all organisations, has a minority of staff who fall below the standards we demand of them," said the director-general of the Prison Service, Martin Narey.

"We are determined to confront that. I am delighted that we will now have a quick and easy system by which staff can inform us, confidentially, of unacceptable behaviour by colleagues.

"The launch of the professional standards strategy sends the message to all staff that they are bound to act with honesty and integrity, and that those who conduct themselves in a dishonest or discriminatory manner will not be able to get away with it by relying on the silence of their honest colleagues."