News Room

Following the Special Delegates Conference in March 1996, the Executive informed delegates that they would be seeking "two candidates" nominated by branches to attend the TUC Conference annually.

It is with great sadness we report to the membership the death of Honorary Life Member Tony Freel, who passed away on Saturday 17 May 2025.

Responding to the speech made at the Prison Officers Association Conference by the Prisons Minister Lord Timpson, Steve Gillan, General Secretary of the Prison Officers Association said: 

An undercover journalist, from The Times, was hired at one of the country’s most dangerous jails and was then able to walk inside and interact with prisoners without security searches.

Watch the address by Gabriel Keaveny, Deputy General Secretary, POA Ireland.

Watch Mick Whelan, General Secretary ASLEF address Conference

Watch the Fraternal Address from Bryan Goodman, Honorary Life Member

“The prisons of England and Wales are chronically overcrowded - they are currently operating at 99% capacity. This is having a very destabilising effect, with soaring levels of violence against staff and prisoners. The pressures facing our members are intolerable. This is not new, we have been warning the Government about this for years.

Geoff Willetts of the Prison Officers Association said: “I am advised that one of our members at HMP Woodhill was attacked by a prisoner who was detained under the Terrorism act of 2008. The Officer was assaulted and injured while carrying out his duties.

As part of the POAs ongoing “68 is too late” campaign the POA are conducting a Pension Survey for members based in England, Northern Ireland and Wales.