THE FIGHT GOES ON!

The past few months have been trying times for POA members in every workplace. Within our prisons we are witnessing ever increasing levels of violence, with the ferocity of assaults on staff reaching levels we have never witnessed before.

In our NHS settings, POA members continue to suffer depleted staffing levels and targeting from senior managers that leaves some staff unjustifiably investigated in an attempt to cover up failings from their leaders. It seems that, wherever you look, POA members are victims of a management culture that wishes to look for scapegoats, is overzealous in its reactions to staff and is intent on placing people at risk with its obsession for ‘regime expansion’.

Once again, the POA has been proven correct. No amount of warnings could halt the tidal wave of unlock in the pursuit of ‘business as usual’ that has now delivered violence against staff at a level we previously witnessed pre-pandemic. Our so-called leaders have failed to learn anything from a lockdown that witnessed a reduction in violence, self-harm, suicides and bullying. For once, we had control of our prisons again and prisoners appreciated it. Now we witness prisoners scared to exit their cells during pointless periods of association.

WHEN WILL THEY LEARN?

A recent report into the culture within HMPPS has yet again been delayed. It is known as the Rademaker report and was commissioned to investigate why so many staff feel bullied and victimised by senior leaders. The POA had input into its findings. The resulting report and recommendations are eagerly sought. There is still no firm date set for the publication of this report, but one thing is for sure, it will not be complimentary about the leadership within our prisons. The blame culture and insistence that you ‘do as I say without question or there will be consequences’ must change. No member of staff in any occupation should be fearful to enter their workplace because of the attitudes and behaviours of staff who manage them.

I recently made the most of the opportunity to express the concerns of staff when I gave evidence to the House of Lords Select Committee, which is tasked with reporting on the governance and culture within prisons. I would imagine that the attendees were shocked by my evidence, but it needed to be said. Our prisons are in a shocking state and staff deserve better. My evidence can be viewed via this link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0-h4rYGaHU

The subject of prisons has been prevalent in the media lately, not least because of the ever increasing threat of drones. The POA has been warning the employer for years about this threat, yet it has sat on its hands hoping it goes away. With the creation of enhanced gate security in many jails, it is inevitable that criminals will seek other routes for illicit items. The easiest route at the moment is the use of drones. We know there is suitable technology to block drones flying within the prison airspace. If it comes down to costs, then I am afraid that is no excuse. It is clear that the staff and general public are at risk, so costs should not be a distraction. In the absence of adequate funding, the only solution would be to increase staffing levels significantly on nights, so we have the capability to intercept a delivery to a cell while ensuring we continue to disrupt criminals by constantly targeting them and searching their cells. The only way to combat this threat is to be proactive and robust. I fear we are on the brink of a major headline before we see some timely action from the employer.

The open estate will now be concerned about the increasing levels of instability because of inappropriate allocations. The inevitable relaxing of the criteria that will result in prisoners with five years or less left to serve able to access open conditions will undoubtedly further destabilise that estate. Previous relaxed criteria have already led to unprecedented levels of returns to closed conditions, coupled with increasing finds of illicit items. This heaps unmanageable levels of pressure on staff who are supposed to be dealing with trusted prisoners who wish to reform and abide by prison rules. All too often they have to deal with recalcitrant behaviour that leads to drug abuse and threats. Hard to manage when you don’t have the staff, a segregation unit or protective equipment.

As a union, we have asked the employer to increase staffing in the open estate by introducing key workers, while insisting that they now issue those in the open estate with PAVA. If the employer really cares about its staff, it will agree to our proposals. We will see!

The recent workforce statistics highlight that staff attrition is still a massive problem. Most staff who resign - well over 50% – have less than three years in the job, with a third of resignations coming from staff who are still in their probation. It should come as no surprise to an employer that falsely advertises for staff with the promise of flexible working, reduced hours, part-time or work-life balance shift patterns.

The truth is a different picture. HMPPS has been working for the past three years, wasting untold amounts of public funds, in Shaping A New Employee Offer (SANEO), in order to encourage all of the above. Then it realised it would not happen because there is simply no will to allow it to happen. Now it has suddenly abandoned that idea. So we have people recruited expecting to have an unorthodox shift pattern approved because the advert says so, only to be laughed at by governors who very rarely approve a change to the norm.

Is it any wonder staff leave within their first few years when they receive inadequate training, are denied an alternative shift pattern, have zero support on site to develop them, and witness levels of trauma and violence that you would only see in the theatre of war?

The General Secretary and I recently met with David Gauke, former Justice Secretary, who is leading a review into sentencing. It was a really interesting conversation, and I look forward to viewing his proposals and findings.

One thing is for certain: our prisons are overcrowded and no amount of early release schemes will alleviate the issue. We need to do things differently and better. Everyone on the frontline knows that, with chaotic and violent prisons, we cannot be expected to reform people. At the moment, we are nothing more than human warehouses, simply because we cannot cope with the demand placed upon us and we do not have the resources or infrastructure to do our job. This, of course, is not helped by a maintenance contract that has failed entirely to fulfil its obligations. The Labour government has already decided to continue to outsource the maintenance of prisons, despite our campaigning and protests. The evidence proves it is a model that is not working and is not value for money. We need it brought back in house.

As the conference approaches, I look forward to meeting all those who attend. It is a pleasure to see our dedicated branch officials delivering their branch motions and he interest from members who attend as observers. It is an honour to lead such an amazing body of staff and I will always ensure I back you and support you. If you attend the conference, I will see you there.

The fight goes on!

Until next time, look after each other and solidarity to you all.

MARK FAIRHURST
NATIONAL CHAIR