As part of the union’s campaign to support and empower women members, a second Women’s Networking Event was held earlier in the year. In this episode, Amy Crook from HMP Long Lartin and NEC member Jackie Marshall talk about why this event has become such a popular feature in the union’s calendar – ranging from what participants like Amy get out of bringing women members together in a mixture of formal and informal sessions, to all the work that takes place behind the scenes to make the events successful.  For more information visit poauk.org.uk ..read more

Weapon related assaults of prison staff have increased from 10% of all assaults in 2010 to 25% in 2022 – and knife and blade attacks have increased by 16% in the most recent year that statistics are available for.   Despite awful assaults with life-changing consequences, the response of the employer and of government has been slow.  The union is awaiting the outcome of pilot exercises on the removal of razors.  This is expected imminently but the union has persistently said that this over complicates and delays what should be a straightforward decision.  The signatories to ..read more

The POA Welfare fund is one of the union’s “jewels in the crown.”  Funded by and for members, £1 of each month’s union subscription is ring-fenced for the Welfare Fund, whose objectives are “the relief of the poor and sickness.”   In this toolkit podcast, POA General Secretary Steve Gillan talks about the origins and workings of the Fund and of the amazing rehabilitation work done by the Firefighters’ Charity, which POA members can naccess through the Welfare Fund.   These are two important and highly prized member benefits.  You can find out more at www.poauk.org.uk/suppor ..read more

For better or worse, the private sector is now part of the landscape in the prison and custodial sector.  The POA has a fast growing private sector membership and local officers who have to engage with a different breed of managers and employers.  In this episode we look at the work of the union’s Private Sector Consultative Committee and talk to reps about their experiences of dealing with Sodexo, Mitie, G4s and Serco.  More information at www.poauk.org.uk ..read more

In this episode we meet the newly formed POA Committee at Manston Short-Term Holding facility and discuss the unique work of POA members at the juxtaposed sites in France ..read more

Terry McCarthy is the member of the POA’s National Executive Committee who has lead responsibility for the union’s members who work in the YCS.  What he has to report may surprise or even shock POA members who have only worked in the adult sector. www.poauk.org.uk ..read more

HMPPS have recently issued mandatory new standards for First Aid at Work and Emergency First Aid at Work. In this Toolkit podcast, Deputy General Secretary Joe Simpson explains the background to the new standards, and the practical consequences of them. POA circular 078 of 2023 refers - you can access that here ..read more

The union’s political activity is at the heart of this episode.  General Secretary Steve Gillan and Parliamentary Researcher Charley Allan discuss why political activity is unavoidable, how the union makes sure its voice is heard loudly in Parliament, and the importance of the union’s Political Fund.  More information at poauk.org.uk . Follow the union on Facebook and X ..read more

In this episode we are joined by former Prison Officer and POA rep, author Alex South.  Her book Behind These Doors detailing Alex’s 10 years in the prison service was published earlier this year to great acclaim from critics and readers.  Extracts were serialised in the Sunday Times and it was a BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week. Alex’s writing journey was kick started when she entered and won the Beachmore Life Writing Competition with a piece that eventually became her book.   She also received the prestigious Winston Churchill fellowship which enabled her to study the treat ..read more

Members in closed grades are being urged to seriously consider opting-in to the F&S structure.  In this special episode, DGS Joe Simpson, AGS Andy Baxter and NEC member Sarah Rigby (herself in an F&S grade) look at the facts of the matter, and dispel some of the misunderstandings that have surfaced.  There is a real decision for closed grade members to make and this podcast gives the facts members need to choose what is right for them.  More information from your branch committee or area NEC representative ..read more