News Room

Welcome to the POA News room, find all the latest updates, including POA Circulars, Press releases, articles and Breaking news.

Professionals who use or oversee the use of such tools are invited to take part in a short (~30-minute), anonymous online survey. The goal is to better understand how risk assessment instruments are applied in practice around the world, including challenges, adaptations, and implementation processes. 

 

The POA are entitled to send 10 delegates to the TUC LGBT+ Conference which will be held at The Doubletree by Hilton Metropole, Brighton.

Please bring the contents of this circular to the attention of all POA members.

Please find attached NEC minutes for the 10th December 2025 for your information.

Since changes to the salary thresholds were introduced in July 2025 by the Government the Prison Service stood to lose over 2500 overseas recruits, mainly from Nigeria and Ghana.

The POA have worked tirelessly behind the scenes after the new immigration rules were enacted in July 2025.

As the world continues to navigate increasing complexity in industrial operations and energy transitions, the need for robust process safety frameworks has never been more vital. This year’s 36th National Hazards Conference 2025, held at Keele University, brought together hundreds of professionals, academics and industry leaders to address one common goal: strengthening safety ...

In 2025, the POA achieved several important advances, reflecting its growing influence and our capacity to secure real improvements for our members in the workforce, on the front line. 

As I reflect on yet another crisis-ridden year for the Prison Service, I must show my appreciation for the dedicated and relentless work that the NEC, full-time officials, support staff and all POA employees have done to help POA members and myself. 

It is with great sadness we report to the membership the death of Honorary Life Member Pat Burgess, who passed away on Wednesday 10 December  2025  following a short illness.

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.