CIRC 105: NATIONAL CHAIR UPDATE DECEMBER 2024

Please bring the contents of this circular to the attention of all POA members.

Pay Submissions

I can confirm that written Pay Submissions for the pay award 2025/26 from HMPPS have been submitted slightly late. We are hopeful that this will not delay proceedings. The POA have been offered dates for oral submissions in January 2025. POA submissions are included within this circular. HMPPS submissions can be accessed via the following link:

HMPPS evidence to Prison Service Pay Review Body: 2025 - GOV.UK

HMP Dartmoor

HMPPS are still awaiting the outcome of expert advice and quotes for remedial work in relation to the Radon levels at HMP Dartmoor. Once they are confident that the work will remedy the issue, they will engage with the Government to secure funding for the work that needs to be carried out. The final decision about the future of Dartmoor rests with the Government. As yet, no firm timescales for a decision have been set.

Staff who may think they have been exposed to Radon (in any establishment) are encouraged to complete a registration form via the following link:

https://www.buildarray.com/u/fiZj

Prison Maintenance

Kim Johnson MP has tabled an Early Day Motion calling for the maintenance of Prisons to be brought back under the ownership of the public sector. All POA members are encouraged to ask their local MP to support this early day motion. Details can be found on the link below.

https://edm.parliament.uk/early-day-motion/62917

REVIEW OF SECURITY CATEGORISATION POLICY FRAMEWORK

HMPPS are changing the criteria in the Open Estate. We will be discussing their proposals in the New Year

The changes they are seeking to make to the categorisation policy are to:

Allow offenders to access open conditions from 5 years from release, replacing the current requirement of 3 years from release; as well as
Introduce a permanent presumptive risk assessment into the policy and the digital categorisation tool, replacing the Temporary Presumptive Recategorisation Scheme

(TRPS).

I would like to take this opportunity to wish each and every one of you a peaceful and prosperous New Year. If you are struggling at this time please be aware that your employer has support services on offer and as a POA member we have support available via our members section of our website.

Please do not suffer in silence.

All the best.