PR 282: POA RESPONDS TO PRISONS MINISTER’S CONFERENCE SPEECH

Responding to the speech made at the Prison Officers Association Conference by the Prisons Minister Lord Timpson, Steve Gillan, General Secretary of the Prison Officers Association said: 

“We welcomed much of what Lord Timpson had to say. He clearly understands the extent of the crisis we see in the Prisons of England and Wales and admitted the situation inherited from the previous Government is one of ‘chaos’. 

It is therefore encouraging that action to address overcrowding is being taken forward as a priority but whilst we welcome the announcement that three new Prisons will be built, all of these must be built and run by the public sector. If not, then the money would be better invested in the existing estate. Repeating the failed privatisation model would be disastrous. 

And whilst we also welcome the £300 million of investment in prison maintenance this is a drop in the ocean compared to the £1.8 billion backlog. Outsourced prison maintenance has left the prison estate in a state of squalor, it should be brought back in house. 

Lord Timpson also made commitments on improving recruitment and training, the culture of the service and crucially the health, safety and well being of prisons staff - of course we will work with the Government and HMPPS on these issues but we will very robustly hold them to account for delivering on these commitments and expose failings that threaten the well being and livelihoods of our members. 

Deeds not words are what matters.”

Mark Fairhurst, National Chair of the POA added: 

“Our discussions with Lord Timpson have been encouraging. He understands the enormity of the crisis he has inherited and is committed to working with the POA on the many issues affecting our members but there are some fundamental issues that he dodged today. 

Where was the commitment to reinstating one of the most basic rights of any worker - the right to strike? 

Where was the commitment to addressing the unfair retirement age of 68 for prison officers? 

Where was the announcement of when we will receive our latest pay increase?

And when will we see investment to end drones being used to bring illicit drugs and contraband into our prisons?  

The POA will work with the minister over the coming months and years, but we will not allow the government to ignore the issues that are vital to our members.”

 

ENDS

 

 

 

For further information, contact:

POA Press Office                                                  020 8803 0255 Option 7