News Room

Watch the Fraternal Address from Bryan Goodman, Honorary Life Member

“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.

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.

As part of the POAs ongoing “68 is too late” campaign the POA are conducting a Pension Survey for members based in England, Northern Ireland and Wales.

Watch Conference 2025 address by Jennifer Rademaker, Non Executive Director at the Ministry of Justice

Watch POA General Secretary Steve Gillan present the Welfare Fund report to Conference 2025

Watch POA General Secretary, Steve Gillan present the Finance Officer's report to Conference 2025

Watch POA National Chair, Mark Fairhurst’s opening address to Conference 2025

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.