News Room

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

POA Members are reminded of Annual Conference Motion 67/2022 which stated;

The union representing the UK's 35,000 Prison Officers is calling for urgent action to address prison violence. The call came following the publication of the latest Safety in Custody statistics from the Ministry of Justice in England and Wales.

It has come to the Executive's attention that there have been a number of incidents involving prisoners smashing or damaging cell observation panels, resulting in injuries to staff.

The Prison Officers' Association (POA) has expressed its full support and solidarity with Prison Officers at Les Nicolles Prison in Guernsey who are currently undertaking industrial action in response to long-standing concerns over pay, staffing, recruitment, retention and increasing workplace pressures.

The Union has been made aware that a post has been made on social media regarding temporary deployment of retired Prison Officers to Guernsey for an initial period of three months with possibility of an extension.

As part of ongoing discussions regarding Radon, it has been identified that there have been 24 Prisons where actionable levels have been identified in line with the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 (IRR17) which are laws enforced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to protect workers and the public from radiation.  

Following promulgation of POA Circular 54/2026, Retired Members Committee, the NEC have determined that the closing date for applications should be extended until 31 August 2026.

Please find attached NEC minutes for the 8th July 2026 for your information.

The Prison Officers' Association (POA) today thanked the outgoing Prisons Minister, Lord Timpson, for the constructive engagement he showed with the union during his time in office, while calling on the Government to seize the opportunity presented by his departure to finally deliver workplace justice and dignity for Prison Officers.