CIRC 074: NATIONAL CHAIR UPDATE AUGUST 2026

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

INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF PRISONS IN ENGLAND AND WALES

I can confirm that the POA written submissions have been received and we have held a personal meeting with the Chair of the review Amber Rudd.

POA MEMBERS SURVEY

All POA members serving in Public Sector Prisons in England and Wales are encouraged to complete the POA survey. The results of the survey will be used to provide evidence to the PRB for the annual pay award. It is imperative that as many POA members as possible complete the survey which will take no longer than 20 minutes and can be accessed on smartphones in a private setting.

You can access the POA Members Survey on the link below:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/27657QH

If any POA member wishes to access the POA Survey via our website because they are absent or seconded/detached duty, there is a separate option to do so via the members section of the POA website.

https://www.poauk.org.uk/members-area/

The Survey will run until 30th September 2026.

POA DIARY 2027

Distribution of the POA diary for members will commence on Tuesday 1st September 2026. Please allow time for your branch officials to confirm receipt of the diaries and collect them from the stores.

ASK THE CHAIR PODCAST

POA members are encouraged to forward any questions they would like answered on the next Chair podcast to askthechair@poauk.org.uk

POA members are encouraged to access new podcasts including the following that feature NEC members:

YouTube: https://youtu.be/F7RLR36wxeQ

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4OdNsliAHiv4wINTDondJS?si=4DbX_BaMR_OqAx-krVQ9Gg

PAVA

POA members are reminded that it is a disciplinary offence to carry PAVA outside of their establishments. It has been brought to the attention of the NEC that at least one governing Governor intends to instruct staff to carry PAVA outside of their establishment so they can take it to an adjacent Prison a short walk away. POA members should ignore any instruction to do so as this is not a legitimate instruction. POA members should always ensure they deposit their PAVA canister in the secure locker provided before they leave the establishment. Under no circumstances should any member of staff carry PAVA outside of their establishments.

All the best.

MARK FAIRHURST
National Chair