Prison officers in Kent jails are set to get an immediate pay rise as part of a £12m package to improve prisons.

Justice Secretary Elizabeth Truss has today announced that the government will be giving prison officers up to £5,000 more in pay, and that new recruits will receive higher starting salaries.

The £12m boost will go to thousands of frontline staff at 31 prisons across London and the South East including Medway Secure Training Centre, HMP Rochester, HMP Cookham Wood, HMP Swaleside, HMP Elmley and HMP Stanford Hill.

New starters will receive up to £29,500 an increase of £5,000 while a prison officer in London could see earnings increase to £31,000.

The Justice Secretary said: "Prison officers do a challenging and demanding job day in and day out. I want frontline staff to know that their work, experience and loyal service is valued.

"We also want to attract the best new talent into the service, ensuring we recruit and retain the leaders of the future."

She added: "These hard-working, dedicated staff are key to delivering our ambitious reform agenda, and it is right that we offer them greater support as we move ever closer to transforming prisons into places of safety and reform."

The package also includes learning and development opportunities to help staff progress in their career, and staff who take part in the training scheme will be required to mentor colleagues handing down knowledge and supporting future leaders.

They will also be given specialist training in mental health and self-harm prevention, boosting their pay and progression in the Prison Service.

Governors at 30 prisons across the country have also been given greater freedom and flexibility to recruit locally, reducing the time it takes to get new recruits through the door.

Applicants will also be able to visit the prison before they take up post, and be in touch with a mentor while the recruitment process is underway.