The National Chairman

ISSUE 47, 21st April 2009

RIOT AT HMP ASHWELL UPDATE

Dear Colleagues

RIOT AT HMP ASHWELL UPDATE

On the 20th April, I met with Jack Straw, David Hanson and Representatives of NOMS, with members of the NEC to discuss the riot at Ashwell prison on Saturday, 11th April 2009. The meeting was positive and we raised a number of concerns at the meeting, but our focus was on the allocation and categorisation of prisoners.

PSO 0900 has been the subject of debate at Annual Conference and many branches have raised concerns over the wrong type of prisoners being sent to open, semi-open, closed and non-cellular type prisons. Unfortunately, to date no-one seems to listen or take on board our concerns.

Some of you may be aware that an internal investigation has been commissioned by the Prison Service. It is vital that his Union puts forward a national submission to that investigation, to this end; I intend to write to branches seeking documentation on a number of issues. I would also ask that if you are interviewed or have information that you feel is relevant, please forward this to the Prison Service or my office, for inclusion in the POAs national submission.

We are also holding a Special National Whitley on the 28th April 2009 to discuss the riot and hopefully we will be able to affect change.

There are many questions that need to be answered and every policy and procedure needs to be tested.

If we fail and the current systems remain we have no doubt that the scenes at HMP Ashwell will be witnessed at other prisons and we must do all we can to prevent a reoccurrence of the riot.

There is also a Police Investigation into the riot at Ashwell and we hope that; “Justice is Served and Seen to be Done”.

I have said many times that 2009 will be a challenging time for the Union and nothing has changed.

We face many challenges and we need to focus on each one, address each one and learn from them all, but, ultimately remain, “AS ONE”.

I will keep you updated as we progress issues in respect of the investigations into HMP Ashwell and other key areas.

Finally, I would one again like to thank all POA members for their professional approach in dealing with the riot at HMP Ashwell on the 11th April 2009.

Colin Moses
National Chairman

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