Officer X was investigated by his Governor in relation to having secondary employment as a landscape gardener without management approval. The Governor commissioned a private investigation company to fit a tracking device to Officer X private family vehicle and tracked its movements for almost 3 weeks, with nothing conclusive proved.

The Private investigator then at 3am in the morning entered the premises of Officer X personal friend a non HMPPS employee and fitted a tracking device to his vehicle and tracked essentially a member of the publics vehicle for over a week.

The POA and the unions solicitors Thompson’s took the members case to the High Court as a breach of the members article ECHR Article 8 and the employer offered an out of court settlement.The member remained under investigation, awaiting a date for the code of discipline hearing to commence, then after 7 months the member was informed that HMPPs would not be going ahead with a code of discipline against him.

Following a period of excused sick absence, the member left the service on medical inefficiency.

Officer X stated “The POA support was superb, it was beyond belief that a Governor felt he could invade the privacy of myself, my family and a non HMPPS employed friend.

My vehicle movements were logged and recorded for a considerable time, this included times that I moved my son to school and to friends’ houses, it included trips that my partner made in my vehicle.

The POA advised me of what I could do within the law and they applied pressure on the Governor to drop the charges, however it took 7 months for the SMT to communicate that decision to me.

The POA have the experience and the financial capability to run a case like mine to the High Court, there is only one union for Prison Officers, remember our unity is our strength.

Officer X

I was the subject of very serious false and malicious allegations.

I was arrested at home by an early morning police raid. The POA provided me with a criminal solicitor, his support throughout the whole 2-year ordeal was invaluable.

This incident led to me being diagnosed with complex PTSD. On a number of occasions, I felt that the only way to end my ordeal would be to take my life, then the little bit of fight left within me told me that would validate the issues laid against me and stigmatise my wife and family.

I protested my innocence throughout the whole incident, the Police found no evidence against me and I was de arrested.

At the end of this life changing episode my then Governor announced I was under investigation for something totally unrelated, the POA support was first class.

With POA support the internal investigation against me was also dropped. My whole life was torn apart by false and malicious prisoner allegations, my only wrong doing was that I had chosen to be a prison officer and became the obsessive target of a prisoner.

I had lost my confidence. The POA supported me to an upper tier ill health retirement in Alpha, they sign posted me to psychiatric help.

To anyone contemplating being a Prison Officer without being a POA I would say its not a matter that you can’t afford to join the POA, it’s a matter that you and your family  can’t afford not to.

Anonymous – North East England.

I was assaulted by a prisoner who hit me over the head with a chair, I attempted to defend myself with my baton, when I submitted a sick leave excusal and a personal injury claim my former Governor reviewed the CCTV of the incident and referred me to the police for assaulting the prisoner with my baton.

We ended up with the unique situation that the prisoner was charged with assault and the CPS were considering assault charges against me. The Police eventually deemed that there was no case for me to answer, however the Governor then dismissed me in an internal disciplinary. The POA appealed my dismissal and the PGD upheld my appeal and I was re-instated.

I had lost all faith in my employer and I left the service on medical inefficiency.

This incident caused me to even doubt myself, the POA supported me and we showed that managers had got their version of events wrong.

There is only one union that you can rely on when all is lost and that is the POA, do not accept cheaper imitations.

The retired carpenter was employed in various prisons between 1963 and 1995 where he carried out maintenance work on prison buildings.

He worked in a one prison from 1964 to 1977 renovating its commercial laundry room. As part of the renovation, he was asked to remove asbestos corrugated sheeting, cut new asbestos sheets, lay asbestos floor tiles and renew lagging on heating pipes. He also mixed the asbestos plaster while other workers stripped asbestos insulation from pipework, steam presses and irons.

In September 2014, he began to feel unwell and visited a doctor. He was diagnosed with lung cancer caused by asbestos.

The ex-carpenter contacted the POA and instructed asbestos disease specialists, Thompsons Solicitors, to investigate a claim for compensation on his behalf.

The member said: “I’d worked with asbestos for most of my career but when I got diagnosed with cancer it was a huge shock.

“The support from my union and Thompsons has been faultless. It’s reassuring to know that my family are now financially secure and we don’t have to worry about the cost of any treatment.”

The 48 year old ex-prison officer was on guard dog patrol at a prison when he slipped on a stretch of path which had not been gritted, fracturing his right foot.

His two decade-long career was cut short after complications following his accident saw him medically retired from the prison service. The once-active dog handler has also been told by doctors that he is at a 25% risk of needing an amputation in future.

Prior to the accident, the man was a keen cyclist, football player, cricketer and golf-lover. He now requires considerable care from his family.

Working with the POA, Thompsons brought a case for damages against his employers, the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) which was heard this week at the London High Court. On 07 October, the Court ruled in favour of the claimant and ordered the MoJ to pay almost £500,000 in compensation to ensure the injured man’s future care needs can be met.

“It is a bitter blow to suffer an injury that not only ended my career, but that was also entirely preventable,” said the POA member.

“The MoJ has been shown to be responsible for the part they played in my injury and has, I hope, taken the point that neglecting the health and safety of prisoners and prison officers comes with a heavy price.

“This injury has cost me my career, my mobility and all of my sporting passions. I’m in constant pain and have been relying on the care and support of my wonderful wife and son to get by. It is a small consolation to know that the funds are now available to take on additional support and that further compensation may be available if the worst happens and any future amputation is unsuccessful. I was extremely grateful for the support and guidance from the POA, both locally and nationally and Thompsons solicitors, who were first class. This proved my membership of the POA was vital.”

On behalf of the First Kick Scooter Collective of Morecambe and the Morecambe Rides Again team, I would like to thank you and the Welfare committee of the POA for your generous donation to CancerCare North Lancashire and South Cumbria.

All the profits from our events are donated to local charities and thanks to your contribution our Morecambe Rides Again 2020 in July is already off to a fantastic start!!

So thanks again, it really is appreciated and if you or any of the committee are in Morecambe on July 10th – 12th please pop over and say hello – you’ll be made very welcome!!

Thank You for your generous donation of £1500 to Barnsley Hospice during these difficult and unprecedented times. 

Over the last twenty five year’s our work has touched thousands of local people.  We are immensely grateful to our supporters and acknowledge the unstinting generosity of our community.

As you may know it costs over £3.6 million each year to provide our community with much needed services.  With the help of the NHS this means we need to raise over £2 million from voluntary donations to keep the hospice open.  We are therefore delighted when supporters help us to fundraise.

Thank you so much for your letter dated 11th of August 2020, informing me of an award of £150.00 to me towards the purchase of a mobility scooter.

I am not too proud to say that when I read your letter it brought a tear to my eyes, the POA looked after me all through my service and now they are helping me in my old age.

I know that many members think that they are only paying for a diary each year how wrong they are, the POA has assisted so many members over the years and don't get the thanks they deserve.

Getting a mobility scooter will enable me to once again go out with my wife where as now I am unable to do so, this will mean a great deal to both of us.

One last request Carol could you read this letter out to the committee at their next meeting and tell them I thank them from the bottom of my heart for their kindness.

"GOD BLESS THE POA"

The HMP Shotts branch would just like to thank you and everyone involved in the welfare committee decision to support our member in what was a very traumatic time for his family. The local branch managed to collect a substantial amount of money and added to that, the welfare fund contribution has softened the financial blow they received from this unexpected and sinister incident.

Our member and his wife have asked us to pass on their thanks and to say that they’re incredibly grateful for the support of the welfare fund and POA family.

Yours in solidarity,

POA Local Branch
HMP Shotts

I was today assisted by Thompsons via video link with a PSNI interview. I would like to extend my thanks to you, Thompsons law and the solicitor himself.

I greatly appreciated the attendance of the solicitor on the day and found particular benefit in speaking to him seemingly on-demand leading up to the day itself.

The solicitor was thorough on the day and I appreciated his support on this matter during these challenging times.

Thank you once again

Many thanks for clearing this up . Can I just add my heartfelt thanks to the POA for all the help and support I have received during this difficult time &  I am sure that without the POA it would have been made even more difficult for myself. Thompsons Solicitors have been fantastic in my claim,  and a big thanks for all the POA at Full Sutton.