The UK’s Prison Officers feel undervalued, stressed, have low morale and are frequently exposed to abuse, violence and aggression in an understaffed and overcrowded system that is failing prisoners and the staff who care for them, according to the results of a survey of the Officers who work on the frontline of the country’s Prisons crisis.
Latest News
CIRC 076: YOUNG TRADE UNIONISTS’ MAY DAY BRIGADE TO CUBA 2026
As part of the POA International work which has been approved by Annual Conference, Cuba solidarity have invited the POA to send young trade unionists to Cuba May Day in 2026.
CARE study questionnaire - request for participants
Researchers from the University of Bath and UCL are conducting a study exploring the experiences of prison staff who have experienced challenging or distressing experiences at work.
CIRC 075: NEC MINUTES
Please find attached NEC minutes for the 22nd October 2025 for your information.
CIRC 074: POA WRITTEN PAY SUBMISSIONS 2026/27
Please find enclosed a copy of the POA Written Pay Submissions covering Public Sector Prisons in England and Wales for 2026/27. The remit group covers all POA members from Bands 2-5 and managers at grades 7-12.
Action Zone
Take action on our 68 is too late campaign now - scan the QR code below
Listen now to episode 72 of the POA Podcast - 68 is too late - campaign update - Click here
Parliament petition for reducing retirement age
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/725069
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
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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.