PR 293: OVERCROWDED, UNDERSTAFFED PRISON SYSTEM IN CRISIS NEW REPORT FINDS

The UK’s Prison Officers feel undervalued, stressed, have low morale and are frequently exposed to abuse, violence and aggression in an understaffed and overcrowded system that is failing prisoners and the staff who care for them, according to the results of a survey of the Officers who work on the frontline of the country’s Prisons crisis. 

The results come following a series of high-profile incidents in the UK’s Prisons including the terrorist attack on staff at Frankland Prison in Durham and the widely reported mistaken release of prisoners. 

The survey covered a wide range of issues and showed that 85% of Prison Officers believe there are not enough staff to safely supervise prisoners, 83% said there is not enough space for prisoners, 72% said they are frequently stressed at work and 74% want to be issued with slash/bite proof vests to help protect them in the course of their duties. 

45% of staff have been assaulted at least once at work and 91% have been verbally abused or threatened. 

The condition of the prison estate was a very serious concern; 80% of Officers said their Prison was in desperate need of modernisation and 83% said there is not enough activity space for prisoners in their care. 

 97% said the retirement age for officers was too high and 96% believe Prison Officers should have the right to strike. 

Commenting on the results of the survey Steve Gillan, General Secretary of the POA said:

“The POA has been warning the Government for years about the state of the Prisons system and this survey further exposes the depth of the crisis. 

Our members on the frontline are dedicated professionals who want to do the job they signed up for but are being prevented from doing so because of decades of neglect and underinvestment. 

What we need is urgent action to address understaffing, overcrowding and daily violent incidents, all of which is having a major impact on staff well-being and morale and we need longer term investment in the Prison Estate to ensure it is fit for purpose and allows POA members to do the job they are trained to do.”

Mark Fairhurst POA Chair added: 

“This survey shows that POA members don’t want special treatment, they want fairness, respect and to be rewarded appropriately for the work we do. This means action on their health, safety and well-being, improvements in pay, lowering the retirement age and reinstating the fundamental human right to withdraw our labour. 

The POA will be seeking meetings with the Ministry of Justice and The Secretary of State for Justice to discuss the results of this very important survey and how we can take forward the issues raised by our members.”  

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For further information, contact:

POA Press Office                                                020 8803 0255 Option 7