Press Releases

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.

The National Chair of the Union representing the UKs 34,000 Prison Officers has condemned Government and the Ministry of Justice inaction over the crisis in the prison system as he opened the Prison Officers Association Conference in Eastbourne today.  

“Urgent action is required to support Prison Officers who have an increased vulnerability to Post Traumatic Stress” a Union Leader has said, following the publication of a new report. 

Prison Officers from across the UK will attend one of the most important Conferences for the Union in decades. 

The POA has claimed that the outcome of a Review into the levels of Bullying, Harassment, Discrimination and Victimisation within His Majesty’s Probation and Prison Service, vindicates the views and experiences of its members.

Prison Officers’ Union Leaders have welcomed an announcement by Justice Secretary, Shabana Mahmood to extend the use of PAVA, an incapacitant pepper spray to a select number of staff at three youth detention centres in Werrington, Wetherby and Feltham. 

Responding to reports of a violent incident at Lowdham Grange Prison, Geoff Willetts the NEC Rep for the Midlands of the Prison Officers' Association said, 

Leaders of the POA have reacted angrily to a vicious attack on three Prison Officers working in a separation centre at HMP Frankland in County Durham.

The Trade Union representing the UKs Prison Officers is calling on the Justice Secretary, Shabana Mahmood to publish a 2023 Cabinet Office assessment of Prison Maintenance Contracts. 

Cuts to the UK's prisons budget would have the effect of pouring petrol on an already blazing fire Union Leaders have warned.