PR 266: PRISON OFFICERS UNION CALLS FOR URGENT ACTION TO ADDRESS SITUATION AT HMP DURHAM

The Union representing the UK’s 35,000 prison officers has called for urgent action to address longstanding concerns of their members at HMP Durham. 

The call comes in the wake of a follow up report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons which highlighted that some prisoners at the jail are having to spend up to 22 hours a day in their cells, a lack of space in the prison and overcrowding which in turn is fuelling increased levels of drugs use and violence. 

Inspectors also raised concerns about the health and safety screening of new arrivals and the lack of secure mental health beds in the community for released prisoners. 

Responding to the report POA General Secretary Steve Gillan said: 

“Here we have another update from the inspectorate that repeats the concerns the POA has been raising for years. Like so many of the UK’s prisons HMP Durham is overcrowded and understaffed and this is having a very significant impact on the health, safety and well being of both prisoners and the staff that look after them. When is the Ministry of Justice going to listen to Prison Officers who are on the front line of the multiple crises playing out across the Prison estate.”

Mark Fairhurst, National Chair of the POA added: 

“The situation at HMP Durham is unacceptable. Our members are trying to deal with an overcrowded prison where tensions are high and out of cell time limited; this stokes rising levels of frustration and violence. 

Time and again the POA has made representations to the Ministry of Justice and HMPPS about these issues, it is about time they listened to the Prison Officers who are under such huge pressure every day of their working lives.”

ENDS

Notes - the latest report on HMP Durham is attached

 

  

For further information, contact:

POA Press Office                                                  020 8803 0255 Option 7

Attachments

• Durham 2025.pdf

  2.09 Mb, pdf