PR 291: POA RESPONSE TO THE STATEMENT FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR JUSTICE

Commenting on the statement made by David Lammy MP, Secretary of State for Justice, Steve Gillan General Secretary of the Prison Officers' Association said:

"The POA acknowledge the admission by the Secretary of State that the prison system has been 'brought to its knees' following a decade and a half of swingeing cuts to the prisons budget. 

We have a criminal justice system in crisis with our prisons overcrowded and understaffed with a staff cohort under pressure like never before.

Unless these issues are dealt with urgently then mistakes like this are likely to happen. 

The POA will cooperate with the independent inquiry into the release of Hadush Kebatu"

Mark Fairhurst National Chair of the POA stated: 

“The POA will fully support our members who are involved in this incident. We will not accept any scapegoating of staff to satisfy political narratives. There is a severe lack of training for staff at all grades, an issue we have highlighted to HMPPS for at least a decade, the pressure on staff is intolerable, and this will inevitably lead to mistakes. These issues should have been addressed a long time ago, but as usual, our employer waits for a headline and then acts.

Our main concern now is to support our members and co-operate with any investigation to ensure this is never repeated and staff are competent and confident in their roles.”

 

 

Ends

 

 

For further information, contact:

POA Press Office                                                 020 8803 0255 Option 7