Government of Jersey

Information about the publication of Ministerial Decisions

A formal published “Ministerial Decision” is required as a record of the decision of a Minister (or an Assistant Minister where they have delegated authority) as they exercise their responsibilities and powers.

Ministers are elected by the States Assembly and have legal responsibilities and powers as “corporation sole” under the States of Jersey Law 2005 by virtue of their office and in their areas of responsibility, including entering into agreements, and under any legislation conferring on them powers.

An accurate record of “Ministerial Decisions” is vital to effective governance, including:

demonstrating that good governance, and clear lines of accountability and authority, are in place around decisions-making – including the reasons and basis on which a decision is made, and the action required to implement a decision
providing a record of decisions and actions that will be available for examination by States Members, and Panels and Committees of the States Assembly; the public, organisations, and the media; and as a historical record and point of reference for the conduct of public affairs

Ministers are individually accountable to the States Assembly, including for the actions of the departments and agencies which discharge their responsibilities.

The Freedom of Information Law (Jersey) Law 2011 is used as a guide when determining what information is be published. While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.

A decision made (08.03.06) to approve the request to increase the establishment of the prison by one to allow the appointment of a Principal Psychologist.

Subject:	Prison establishment – increase by one post to allow for the appointment of a Principal Psychologist
Decision Reference:	MD-HA-2006-0020	Exempt clause(s):
Type of Report (oral or written):	Written	Person Giving Report (if oral):
Telephone or e-mail Meeting?		Report File ref:		HR/Psyc-estab/Mar 06 HAD/PRI 2
Written Report – Title:	Request to increase the Prison establishment by one post (Psychologist)	Written report – Author:		Steven Guy-Gibbens Prison Governor
Decision(s): To approve the request to increase the establishment of the prison by one to allow the appointment of a Principal Psychologist.
Reason(s) for decision: The prison has benefited from the secondment of a suitably qualified senior psychologist from the Prison Service of England and Wales since 2003. As the current period of secondment is nearing its end, it gives the opportunity of employing a suitably qualified psychologist on a permanent basis in place of a further period of secondment. The prison will continue to have the need for at least one psychologist for the foreseeable future.
Action required: Steven Guy-Gibbens, Prison Governor, to arrange for this decision to be communicated to the Minister for Treasury and Resources.
Signature: (Minister/ Assistant Minister)			Date of Decision:

Prison establishment - appointment of a Principal Psychologist

H M Prison

La Moye

La Rue Baal

St Brelade

Jersey

JE3 8HQ

Ref: HR/Psyc-estab/Mar 06

Senator Wendy Kinnard

Minister for Home Affairs

21 February 2006

REQUEST TO INCREASE THE PRISON ESTABLISHMENT BY ONE POST (PSYCHOLOGIST)

1. The Purpose of the Report

1.1 The report seeks the Minister’s approval to request the increase in the establishment of the prison by one to allow the appointment of a Principal Psychologist.

2. The Issue

2.1 The prison has benefited from the secondment of a suitably qualified senior psychologist from the Prison Service of England and Wales since 2003. As the current period of secondment is nearing its end, I have investigated the possibility of employing a suitably qualified psychologist on a permanent basis in place of a further period of secondment. I believe that the prison will continue to have the need for at least one psychologist for the foreseeable future.

2.2 I believe that the advantages to replacing the secondment arrangement include that the member of staff will be able to identify a lot more closely with the prison and with Jersey without being concerned about their return to another position from where they have been seconded. They will clearly become a key member of my management team with only one reporting line (although professional links will remain an important element of the post). The longer time frame will allow the potential for the development of developments that will take longer to reach fruition but which may have a more significant impact on the prison.

2.3 On a personal level, they will be able to settle in Jersey without concern about looking for a suitable posting once the secondment had ended.

2.4 The secondment and associated costs are paid for from the prison budget and so the change to being employed by the prison will not significantly alter the cost to the prison for the psychologist’s services. Once on the payroll in Jersey, income and other taxes will be paid in Jersey rather than the UK thus bringing additional benefit to the Island.

3. Recommendation

3.1 The proposal is that permission is sought to obtain an additional post for the prison to enable the employment of a Principal Psychologist.

3.2 The Minister is asked to agree that this recommendation can be forwarded to the Minister for Treasury and Resources.

Steven Guy-Gibbens

Governor