A PILOT project is under way at Wetherby Young Offender Institution to tackle soaring staff absence caused by sickness.

The project provides counselling and support to staff to address stress-related problems at the institution, which was highlighted in an exclusive Evening Press report yesterday.

An officer, who described the institution as a "holiday camp without the redcoats," told the paper that there was little deterrent to prevent attacks by offenders on staff, and morale was low, with many going off sick with stress.

Now Prisons Minister Paul Goggins has revealed in answers to Parliamentary Questions put by Vale of York Tory MP Anne McIntosh that the number of days lost through sickness at Wetherby rose from 2,456 in 1999-2000 to 4,291 in 2002/03.

This meant the average lost per person rose from 10.1 to 15.5, compared to a national average of 13.3.

Mr Goggins said the increase was due in particular to a rise in long-term sickness absence, but he understood there had been a significant reduction this year, and a six-month pilot project had also been introduced to address the stress problems.

Governor Paul Foweather told the Evening Press that the early indications were that the project results were "very positive."

The Minister also revealed that the number of assaults at Wetherby had remained constant or fallen slightly over the past five years, with 145 in 1999-2000 and 129 in 2002-03, the last full year for which statistics are available. Of these assaults, four and five respectively were categorised as "serious."

Mr Foweather said many of the assaults were minor, such as one trainee pushing another or tapping someone during horseplay.

In another Parliamentary answer, Mr Goggins revealed that the cost per prisoner at Wetherby had risen from £20,827 in 1998/99 to £29,661 in 2002/03. Funding increased from £6.7 million in 1998-99 to £10.2 million in 2002/03.

The main reason for the increased costs was the major structural changes which had been introduced, which he said had led to a greatly improved regime.

There had been improved numeracy and literacy, better opportunities for training and employment, increased employability through practical and vocational activities and the addressing of offending behaviour issues.

The MP, who has expressed concern about the safety and welfare of officers, lodged the questions after being contacted by a constituent who works there.

Updated: 10:27 Thursday, February 26, 2004