Making a difference - Health and Safety inspections

In the new Ask The Chair podcast episode, National Chair MarkFairhurst responds to questions on a wide range of subjects – regional pay, allowances for specialist grades, staff safety when on escort duties, problems in the youth custody estate, and the right to strike and “68 is too late” campaigns. Also, questions on the viability and desirability of prison officers being linked to police officers’ terms and conditions and will England beat Norway at the weekend.  Thanks to everyone who submitted questions and apologies that we didn’t get to every single one.  Don’t forget you can ask your question byemailing [email protected].  Please include your name and location so we can check membership details.  

If you’ve enjoyed a POA video, listened to one of the POA podcasts, engaged in any way with the union online at X, or Facebook, accessed the POA website or responded to a call to action associated with a POA campaign, then that is the POA communications strategy in action.   But where does this strategy come from, and how can the union’s leadership know it is working? In this episode, Deputy General Secretary Mick Pimblett, website designer Tom from Plus Purple, film-maker Gregg from Consequential Films and campaigns expert Neil from Unity Consulting give us a guided tour the POA’s communications work – all underpinned by the belief that the union is stronger when communication is two-way, and takes place for members as well as with them. More info at poauk.org.uk

It is now two years since a major change to the regime of health and safety inspections in HMPPS.  A key element of the new approach has been the employer and union working in partnership. But what does this mean in practice, and what difference does it make?  Can a new way of working lead to lasting cultural change on health and safety?NEC members Jackie Marshall, Phil Hannant and Roger Moran share their experiences with HMPPS’s Jason Morley. Visit poauk.org.uk for more on this and all POA campaigns.

The annual Valley Parade Memorial football tournamentcommemorates the fire at Bradford City FC in 1985 which cost 56 lives.  The POA is at the heart of maintaining thetournament and was instrumental in it’s creation.  Former National Chair John Boddington and NEC member Jackie Marshall discuss the importance of the event, and we also hear from a local government officer, tournament referee and a local “soccer mum” on why the tournament, and the POA’s support for it, is just so important.  More details at poauk.org.uk

Ask The Chair is the opportunity for POA members to put their questions directly to POA National Chair Mark Fairhurst.  No question is off limits and the first Mark knows about it is when the question is read out on the show.  This time round we have questions - and forthright answers – on the 68 is too late campaign, OSG overtime (spoiler alert – you are entitled to overtime, and not obliged to take TOIL), the joys and challenges of POA conference and as always, a pointed question on the fate of Mark’s beloved Everton FC. More info as always at poauk.org.uk. Email your questions to [email protected], and don’t forget to include your name and establishment.

The issue of Separation Centres was thrown into sharp focusfollowing the horrendous assault on three prison officers at HMP Frankland last year.  The government commissioned the Hall report as a result and it’s 13 recommendations were published toward the end of 2025.  In this episode we catch upwith NEC Vice-Chair Dave Todd and NEC member Phil Hannant to discuss what improvements we can expect to see – and what further changes are necessary but more challenging.  More information at poauk.org.uk

The union’s campaign for the right of members in England,Wales and Northern Ireland to be able to take industrial action has received a boost from the influential European Committee of Social Rights.  The Committee has said that the continuingprobation on the union is inconsistent with Europe-wide standards of human rights.  National Chair Mark Fairhurstand General Secretary Steve Gillan place this development in the context of the union’s work and the case it is taking to the European Court of Human Rights – and set out the key role POA members and officials can play in sustaining thecampaign.  More information at poauk.org.uk

The Branch Officials' training course is a vital tool in the training and development of the union's representatives. But what does the course cover? What do students get out of it? Is it as good as everyone says it is, and what makes it that way? We get views from four of the reps on last month's course, plus Assistant General Secretary Andy Baxter. Between them, they will answer all these questions and plenty more besides! More info at poauk.org.uk

In the new Ask The Chair, Mark Fairhurst answersquestions from members on body scanners and women prisoners, Payment Plus, the recent exemption secured for overseas-born prison officers, the absence ofinterviews in Band 3 recruitment, just how independent is the Prison Service Pay Review body and what was the best-ever Everton team.  Forthright and to-the-point, no subject isoff-limits.  Ask your question at [email protected] More info at poauk.org.uk.

Engaging younger members in the union and keeping themactive is an essential part of the POA’s strategy, and the Young Members Consultative Committee is a key body for delivering that objective.  In this episode, Jordan, Lewis and Tyler, threemembers of the Committee  join Deputy General Secretary Mick Pimblett to share their hopes and experiences  and explain why young members are very much the present as well as the future of the POA. More info at poauk.org.uk