300 plus POA delegates and visitors are in Eastbourne for the conference. The conference started with reports from the Standing Orders Committee and a minute's silence in tribute to members who passed away in the previous year.
Latest News
CIRC 039: FREE INITIAL ADVICE ON ANY FAMILY LAW MATTER
Lund Bennett provides a membership benefit and are your dedicated Family Law solicitors for the POA. The firm offers robust advice and support – they are rated 5* on Review Solicitors and provide access to some of the country’s best family lawyers.
CIRC 038: NATIONAL CHAIR UPDATE APRIL 2026
Please bring the contents of this circular to the attention of all POA members.
A GUIDE TO HEALTH & SAFETY FOR UNION REPRESENTATIVES - Thompsons Solicitors
Please find attached a Guide to H&S for Union Representatives from Thompsons Solicitors
CIRC 037: NEC MINUTES
Please find attached NEC minutes for the 8th April 2026 for your information.
Action Zone
Take part in an international research initiative examining the implementation of structured risk assessment tools for violence or offending in mental health, forensic, and criminal justice contexts.
Click here to start the survey: https://www.sfuiraise.com/
Opportunity to work in the Caribbean
Salterton Associates are forming a cadre of former UK Prison Officers to assist certain Caribbean Islands in times of emergency / natural disaster. Click here to find out more
Prison Officers’ Association - Advert to ex-prison staff
Did you work at Medomsley Detention Centre, or interact with anyone who did? The PPO needs to hear from you. Click here to read more
We can help
Need legal advice?
Visit the legal section for advice, details of who to contact, and to access legal forms
“The support from my union and Thompsons has been faultless. It’s reassuring to know that my family are now financially secure and we don’t have to worry about the cost of any treatment.”
Six-figure compensation awarded to Prison Officers’ Association member with lung cancer
Why join the POA?
We’ll support you when you have a problem at work and work to improve your Terms and Conditions. But that’s not all we’re about. Being a POA member also gives you access to a whole host of other benefits.
POA members gain from a wide range of benefits negotiated by your Union - with potential savings far above the cost of annual subscription! These are regularly updated and cover everything from lifestyle to health, motoring, technology, shopping, charity support, legal and financial. Here is a small sample:
- Health and wellbeing – savings, discounts, eyecare, counselling, rehabilitation services
- Legal Services – Personal Injury, Employment, Deaths in Custody, Will Writing
- Cars – breakdown cover, purchase discounts, hire, new and used vehicles
- Leisure and Travel – short breaks, holidays, car hire, travel insurance
- Financial Services – advisory services, savings and loans, cashbacks and discounts, help with difficulties, tax
- Insurance – Life Assurance, Income Protection, Vehicle and Home, Pet, Travel insurance
- Technology and Mobiles – group discount schemes
- Charities offering assistance to members – distress and hardship relief, money and debt problems, allowance and grants, confidential helpline
- Shop – food and household brands, goods and luxury items, payment cashback card, Blue Light discount card.
Representing over 30,000 Prison, Correctional and Secure Psychiatric Workers, the POA is the largest UK Union in this sector, able to trace its roots back more than 100 years.