POA Circulars

I recognise that there are extreme sensitivities around Prison staff vaccinations as keyworkers during the pandemic and the POA and indeed HMPPS Senior leaders are making the case to Government that Prisons are just as equally important as any other workplace where keyworkers exist and that prison staff and those in our care should be prioritised.

As you know the POA Annual Conference was cancelled in 2020 where the above awards would have been given.

In 2014, the POA commissioned a survey of members to examine their work-related wellbeing.

Please find attached NEC minutes for 23^rd December 2020, for your information.

This year has started dramatically with further announcements from the Prime Minister implementing further National lockdowns in England, with the leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland introducing restrictions of a similar nature but I recognise there may be differences in each of the four countries where the POA have membership.

The National Executive Committee recently advised you that we have been working on a programme to improve our back-office systems and the face of the POA.  To this end, I would like to inform the membership that on Sunday 10th January 2021 we will be launching our new website. 

Enclosed is the latest update from Gold that has been forwarded to all Governors.

I enclose for your information the latest Gold Briefing that is being issued to Governors. If you have any questions, please contact your area NEC Representative.

I would like to remind you about the following which I first advised you about in POA Circular 165/2020, on behalf of the POA National Executive Committee I have been in discussions with Professor Nick Hardwick the former Chief Inspector of Prisons and his colleagues from the University.

Please find attached NEC minutes for the 9th and 11th December 2020, for your information.