News Room

Researchers from the University of Bath and UCL are conducting a study exploring the experiences of prison staff who have experienced challenging or distressing experiences at work.

Please find attached NEC minutes for the 22^nd October 2025 for your information.

Please find enclosed a copy of the POA Written Pay Submissions covering Public Sector Prisons in England and Wales for 2026/27. The remit group covers all POA members from Bands 2-5 and managers at grades 7-12.

We have just returned from our annual conference last week in Peebles, and it was a very successful and interesting event, with an agenda of 106 motions to debate and form policy on.

The POA has recently completed a comprehensive survey of all members across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland regarding the issue of retirement age. Our colleagues in Scotland were ahead of us, having completed their survey earlier in the year.

The NEC have recently noted the increase in Article 2 Investigations in establishments. Article 2 investigations are inquiries triggered when the state may have failed to protect someone's right to life, as guaranteed under Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

The results of a survey of the UKs Prison Officers has called for immediate action to address the unjust retirement age of staff working in dangerous, overcrowded and understaffed jails across the UK. 

We have recently been in talks with HMPPS Health & Safety staff over the dates on the PPE which is used for cell removal.

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

A stark new report published today by the Prison Officers’ Association, the union representing Scotland’s 4000 front line Prison Staff, has laid bare the reality of working in the country’s overcrowded and understaffed prison estate.  “Crisis Point Reached - The Pressures Facing Scotland’s Prison Officers uncovered” draws on the experience and testimony of Prison Officers work ...