Ivor Dunne, Area Chair, Northern Ireland completes his current term of office on 31 December 2026. Nominations are therefore invited to take up the post of Area Chair, Northern Ireland Chair from 1 January 2027 until 31 December 2031.
Latest News
LGBT+ CONFERENCE JUNE 2026
Angela Montgomery, Assistant General Secretary, reports on the TUC LGBT+ conference
RPE: PROTECTING OUR MEMBERS, PROTECTING OUR FUTURE
If we cannot breathe safely, we cannot work safely – so respiratory protective equipment and its correct usage is vital to our health in contaminated environments
DRONE INGRESS - A CRISIS WE ARE BEING LEFT TO FACE ALONE
The number of drone drops is increasing, but POA warnings about the scale of the threat and demands for action have not been heeded
THE SENTENCING ACT 2026
Political failure cannot be solved by emptying our prisons, argues General Secretary Steve Gillan
Action Zone
We can help
Need legal advice?
Visit the legal section for advice, details of who to contact, and to access legal forms
“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.”
Six-figure compensation awarded to Prison Officers’ Association member with lung cancer
Why join the POA?
We’ll support you when you have a problem at work and work to improve your Terms and Conditions. But that’s not all we’re about. Being a POA member also gives you access to a whole host of other benefits.
POA members gain from a wide range of benefits negotiated by your Union - with potential savings far above the cost of annual subscription! These are regularly updated and cover everything from lifestyle to health, motoring, technology, shopping, charity support, legal and financial. Here is a small sample:
- Health and wellbeing – savings, discounts, eyecare, counselling, rehabilitation services
- Legal Services – Personal Injury, Employment, Deaths in Custody, Will Writing
- Cars – breakdown cover, purchase discounts, hire, new and used vehicles
- Leisure and Travel – short breaks, holidays, car hire, travel insurance
- Financial Services – advisory services, savings and loans, cashbacks and discounts, help with difficulties, tax
- Insurance – Life Assurance, Income Protection, Vehicle and Home, Pet, Travel insurance
- Technology and Mobiles – group discount schemes
- Charities offering assistance to members – distress and hardship relief, money and debt problems, allowance and grants, confidential helpline
- Shop – food and household brands, goods and luxury items, payment cashback card, Blue Light discount card.
Representing over 30,000 Prison, Correctional and Secure Psychiatric Workers, the POA is the largest UK Union in this sector, able to trace its roots back more than 100 years.