News Room

Prison Officers’ Union Leaders have welcomed an announcement by Justice Secretary, Shabana Mahmood to extend the use of PAVA, an incapacitant pepper spray to a select number of staff at three youth detention centres in Werrington, Wetherby and Feltham. 

POA National Chair Mark Fairhurst provides update following meeting with the Secretary of State for Justice, Shabana Mahmood

Please find attached NEC minutes for the 9^th April 2025 for your information.

Jackie Marshall NEC reports on the 3rd POA Supporting Women in the Workplace Workshop

Jackie Marshall NEC reports on the new vape pen

The past few months have been trying times for POA members in every workplace. Within our prisons we are witnessing ever increasing levels of violence, with the ferocity of assaults on staff reaching levels we have never witnessed before.

Responding to reports of a violent incident at Lowdham Grange Prison, Geoff Willetts the NEC Rep for the Midlands of the Prison Officers' Association said, 

POA National Chair Mark Fairhurst updates members after attack on prison officers at HMP Frankland

My name is Victoria Glover and I have been at HMP/YOI Chelmsford for eight years. I started my career as an officer, which I enjoyed, and then applied for a temp SO position on quite a few occasions and was finally successful and was the SO of the induction wing.

Leaders of the POA have reacted angrily to a vicious attack on three Prison Officers working in a separation centre at HMP Frankland in County Durham.