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Press releasesREF: PR/11/07 DATE: 29th January 2007 To: ALL POLITICAL PRESS RELEASE Home Secretary Orders POA to Operate Unsafe PrisonsAs the crisis in the Prison Service continues the Prisons Board, supported by the Home Secretary have reverted to the use of legal action in an attempt to neuter and suppress the POA. Following the Home Secretary’s announcement to increase accommodation within existing prisons in England and Wales to deal with the long expected surge in prisoner population, the POA have expressed grave concerns due to the Prisons Board failing to plan and recruit prison officers to safely operate existing prisons in England and Wales, let alone any new accommodation. The announcement to open the new prison in Merseyside, HMP Kennett will further stretch the resources of the Prison Service. The Prisons Board have determined that staff from the majority of prisons across the estate will be required to go on detached duty and work additional hours in an attempt to support the crumbling Prison Service, a Service which is in crisis. Colin Moses National Chairman said: “Once again the POA are being dragged into court to try and camouflage the failings of the Prison Service. The POA is an independent trade union and we will not be suppressed by the threats of legal action. The Prisons Board have let down the public by failing to recruit the necessary level of prison officers to staff prisons safely. This Union stands ready to engage in positive dialogue to ensure that the Prison Service delivers. Unfortunately, the senior management of the Prison Service seem hell-bent on confrontation. I am appalled that a Labour Home Secretary has supported the Prison Service and is ordering staff to operate prisons which are unsafe”. Brian Caton General Secretary said: “The POA welcome any proposals which will protect the public whilst dealing with the ever increasing prison population. It is the Home Secretary’s responsibility to ensure that his policies are achievable and deliverable, however he seems reluctant to meet with the POA to discuss any of his proposals, instead he has taken sides and supported the threat of legal action by the Prison Service. The Labour Government should be ashamed of this action, action which is not just, nor called for. The POA seek urgent face to face meetings with the Home Secretary to ensure the Prison Service is safe and secure and the public confidence restored. The abuse of taxpayers’ money to attack this union is disgraceful”.
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