Press Releases

“The issues highlighted at HMP Leeds are a prime example of the crisis our members are having to cope with across the Prison Estate.

Steve Gillan has been chosen to lead the TUC for the next year. The first General Secretary of the POA to be chosen for this prestigious position, testament to the standing that the POA has within the Trade Union movement.

Violence and exposure to traumatic incidents is a daily experience for Prison Officers in England and Wales and the situation is getting worse according to the latest statistics published by the Ministry of Justice. 

The union representing the UK's 35,000 prison officers has welcomed the trial introduction of tasers in prisons.

Detention Custody Officers at the Gatwick Immigration Removal Centres are celebrating a major victory following the outcome of an employment tribunal case.

The appalling state of HMP Pentonville is one of the clearest examples of the crisis facing the country’s prisons a union leader has said. 

"Our Prison staff work in some of the most hostile workplaces in Western Europe, which is why the POA has long called for better protective equipment for our members.

Responding to the report from Independent Sentencing Review chaired by former Lord Chancellor, David Gauke, Steve Gillan, General Secretary of the POA said:

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: 

“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.