Structure

Who We Represent

POA Membership

Since the Prison Officers' Association was formed in 1939 we have represented members throughout the United Kingdom (including Scotland) both within the Public and Private Sector Prison Services and the State Hospitals.

England and Wales

The POA has sole recognition rights throughout the Public Sector Prison Service for the following:-

Principal Officer
Senior Officer
Prison Officer
Grade VIIIA
Operational Support Grades (OSG)
Prison Auxiliary
Assistant Storeman
Storeman
Night Patrol

The POA has joint recognition rights along with the Prison Governors Association (PGA) and the Public and Commercial Service Union (PCS) for the following:-

Governor Grades 4
Governor Grades 5

The POA has joint recognition rights along with the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) for all Prison Service Nursing Grades.

The POA represents many other members from other Public Sector grades, from Chaplains and teachers to craftsmen, who for various reasons have decided to join the POA. Although not recognised for these grades the POA represents them as individuals and puts forward their views and aspirations whenever possible.

Northern Ireland

The POA has sole recognition rights for the following grades in Northern Ireland :-

Night Patrol Officers
Auxilary Officer
Prison Officer Grades
Senior Officer Grades
Principal Officer Grades

The POA has joint recognition for Governor Grades 4 and 5.

We also represent

Cleaners
Kennel Maids
Caterers
Porter/Drivers
Drivers
Searchers
Labourers
General Civil Servants

Scotland

The POA has sole recognition rights for the following grades in Scotland:

Supervisors
Prison Officers (Residential)
Prison Officers (Operational)

The POA has joint recognition for Governor Grades F and Nursing Staff.

We also represent Civilian Drivers.

Isle of Man

The POA has joint recognition with the Prospect for all unified grades working within the Isle of Man Prison Service.

Private Sector

The POA represents over 1200 members from the Private Sector Prison Estate. These members work for a number of companies including:

GSL
Premier Prison Service
Securicor Custodial Services
UK Detention Services
Reliance

The POA currently have a voluntary recognition agreements in the Private Sector with Wackenhut UK, GSL and Securicor for staff working within their Immigration and Nationality Departments.

Special Hospitals

The POA has joint recognition and is the predominant force in Britain's three Special Hospitals Broadmoor, Ashworth, Rampton and in The State Hospital Carstairs in Scotland. We also represent many staff working in Medium Secure Units.

Within these Special Hospitals and Medium Secure Units a number of professions and occupations are represented.

They are as follows:-

Unqualified and Registered Nurses (from clinical grades A to I)
Senior Nurse Managers Rehabilitation Therapy Service Staff
Occupational Therapists
Ancillary staff (ie. caterers, domestics, porters and estate workers)
Clerical and Administration Grade Staff
Security staff
Hospital Drivers
Physiotherapists

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