It is with great sadness we report to the membership the death of Honorary Life Member Tony Freel, who passed away on Saturday 17 May 2025.
Latest News
PR 282: POA RESPONDS TO PRISONS MINISTER’S CONFERENCE SPEECH
Responding to the speech made at the Prison Officers Association Conference by the Prisons Minister Lord Timpson, Steve Gillan, General Secretary of the Prison Officers Association said:
Undercover In Britain's Prison Chaos I Times Investigates
An undercover journalist, from The Times, was hired at one of the country’s most dangerous jails and was then able to walk inside and interact with prisoners without security searches.
POA Annual Conference 2025: address by Gabriel Keaveny, Deputy General Secretary, POA Ireland.
Watch the address by Gabriel Keaveny, Deputy General Secretary, POA Ireland.
POA Annual Conference 2025 - Mick Whelan – General Secretary ASLEF
Watch Mick Whelan, General Secretary ASLEF address Conference
Action Zone
Register for the in-person conference - Asbestos: time to get rid of it!
On the day itself, the TUC will be focussing on asbestos. We are hosting a one-day event at Congress House.
It's open to any health and safety rep. Please register here and share with your reps.
Opportunity to work in the Caribbean
Salterton Associates are forming a cadre of former UK Prison Officers to assist certain Caribbean Islands in times of emergency / natural disaster. Click here to find out more
Prison Officers’ Association - Advert to ex-prison staff
Did you work at Medomsley Detention Centre, or interact with anyone who did? The PPO needs to hear from you. Click here to read more
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.