CIRC 042: NATIONAL CHAIR UPDATE JUNE 2025

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

Protective body armour review

HMPPS have confirmed the following:

Following the assault at HMP Frankland in April, HMPPS commissioned a review to establish whether it is necessary for prison officers to wear Protective Body Armour (PBA) either routinely or when working in high-risk environments within the prison estate. This has involved engagement with operational staff, trade unions, other jurisdictions and uniformed services which use PBA plus analysis of statistical data and existing evidence.

As a result of the review, PBA will be mandated in the Close Supervision Centres, Separation Centres and Segregation Units in the Long-Term High Security Estate. These areas already have the highest levels of controls which are regularly used because of the dangerous and challenging prisoners held in these units. Therefore, PBA would add an additional measure to further mitigate any risks and align with the hierarchy of controls.

For the remainder of the adult male estate, HMPPS will continue to review the effectiveness of their existing control measures, ensuring that the processes for identifying and managing risks are being appropriately and robustly applied. Control measures will remain separately managed in the youth and women’s estate.

Work will begin at pace to implement these changes and in the meantime, PBA will continue to be available for staff in SCs and CSCs in the LTHSE and all Segregation Units in circumstances deemed as higher risk by managers.

All POA members should note that the POA continue to work tirelessly to ensure protective equipment is issued and available for all staff who require it. We will not rest until you gain the protections you request. This is the first step in the right direction. 

Independent Review of Separation Centres

The independent investigation into the incident at HMP Frankland is ongoing and is being led by Jonathon Hall KC who is the current Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation and Independent Reviewer of State Threats Legislation. He will:

1. Consider whether the facts of the incident, as established by HMPPS’ internal review reveal the need for any changes to how convicted terrorists are placed onto Separation Centres.
2. Consider whether the policies, operating procedures, legal framework, and relationships with other agencies that underpin Separation Centres are fit for purpose, including whether an appropriate balance is being struck between security and long-term offender management.
3. Provide findings and recommendations on the basis of the above that can be implemented to reduce the likelihood of any such incident occurring in the future.

 

Pay Award 2025

HMPPS have confirmed that this years pay award for those awaiting it in public sector prisons in England and Wales, covering the POA remit group Bands 2-5, will be paid, with back pay to April 1^st, in Julys pay packet.

 

National Chair Re-Election

I wish to convey my sincerest thanks to all the branches that took the time to nominate me for National Chair during the recent election. To be re-elected unopposed is both unexpected and welcome. I will continue to fight as hard as I can for all POA members in order to improve every aspect of your working life in whatever workplace you inhabit. I cannot express how proud, honoured and privileged I feel to lead such an amazing group of people. I will not let you down. Thank you once again for all your support and best of luck to all candidates in the forthcoming NEC elections.

 

All the best.

 

Mark Fairhurst
National Chair