Press Releases

The Government has turned its back on hard working Prison Staff by rejecting recommendation 3 of the Pay Review Body recommendations. 

The POA announce today that Mark Fairhurst has been successful in his re-election to the position of National Chairman where he will serve a further five years from May 2021.

The POA fully support the TUC campaign, Save Union Learning, and hope to persuade the Government to drop proposals to end the Union Learning Fund (ULF).

The POA since March 2020 have worked collaboratively with HMPPS and other employers to find solutions in keeping prisoners and staff safe during the pandemic.

The POA will take its time considering all aspects of the Pay Review Body recommendations and not just comment on the headline figure of 2.5 per cent.

The POA, along with three other unions (FBU, PCS and GMB), have today filed court proceedings regarding the Government’s withholding of improved pension benefits arising from the Pensions Cost Cap from thousands of POA members and hundreds of thousands of public service workers.

The POA have confirmed that Secretary of State for Justice Robert Buckland intends to begin the early release of low risk prisoners as early as next week.

The POA today praised the decision of the Secretary of State for Justice and the Director of Public Sector Prisons for their decision to place Prisons in England and Wales on immediate ‘lock down.’

The POA National Executive Committee at its meeting on 11th March 2020 committed to working with Government and Employers to keep Prisons and the Criminal Justice System as stable as possible.

The POA Prison Officers Trade Union sends solidarity to Diogenes Orjuela, president of CUT Colombia, following the threats made against him and other prominent political figures.