PR 284: PRISON OFFICERS ASSOCIATION RESPONDS TO GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCEMENT ON BODY ARMOUR

POA Deputy General Secretary, Mick Pimblett, said:

"Our Prison staff work in some of the most hostile workplaces in Western Europe, which is why the POA has long called for better protective equipment for our members.

"We welcome the announcement that officers in close supervision centres, separation centres and segregation units in the Long Term High Security Estate would be provided with body armour.  However, with violence in our Prisons, and an average of around 28 assaults on staff every day across the system, this must be treated as a first step towards a properly resourced Prison Service.

"But in order to support our members in maintaining order in increasingly overcrowded Prisons, the Government must follow this announcement with action to tackle lower rates of pay than other uniformed services and a full retirement age of 68, which is much higher than the likes of the Police.

"The POA will continue to push the Government to deliver the resources our Prison staff deserve."

 

ENDS 

 

 

For further information, contact:

POA Press Office                                                 020 8803 0255 Option 7