PR 312: FRONT LINE STAFF NEED ACTION - NOT ANOTHER REVIEW

Responding to the Lord Chancellor David Lammy’s announcement of an independent review of Prisons, to be chaired by former Home Secretary Amber Rudd, the POA leadership have reacted with bewilderment. There have been dozens of so-called independent reports dating back 30 years and more into Prisons yet after each report which identifies the problems political parties when in Government do very little to make things better.

Steve Gillan General Secretary stated:

“The POA position is quite clear we want a Royal Commission or an independent inquiry into the whole Criminal Justice System as there is little point doing Prisons in isolation as different parts of the Justice System are interconnected such as Policing, Probation, the Court System and the infrastructure around diverting offenders away from Prison. The Criminal Justice System is broken from end to end. Our members are tired of warm words, ministerial visits and glossy reports. They want investment. They want safe staffing levels. They want fair pay that reflects the dangers of the job”.

The POA believes there is already enough knowledge out there as to what is needed. Every independent report, every inspector’s report and every serious incident has highlighted the same issues, chronic overcrowding, inadequate staffing levels, unacceptable levels of violence, the scourge of drugs and organised crime, ageing Prisons and a workforce that has been pushed to breaking point after many years of neglect and what can only be described as financial vandalism to an important service.

Mark Fairhurst National Chair stated:

“The terms of reference for this review highlight that ‘Future costs must be absorbable within the MoJ’s likely future budget in line with Spending Review outcomes’ so I therefore have little faith in any positive outcomes from this review without significant future investment. We need to invest in additional staff with improved wages, modernise the entire Prison Estate, bring the maintenance of Prisons back in house and ensure we have an education or vocational activity space for all those in our care. That means we need adequate funding not more excuses”.

 

ENDS

 

 

 

For further information, contact:

POA Press Office                                                  020 8803 0255 Option 7