The POA podcast

The cost of non-compliance massively outweighs the time spent getting and keeping RMPs in place and in this episode, recorded at the end of April, NEC member Ian Carson explains the importance of RMPs, and how POA members and reps can use them to create a safer working environment. As Ian says, "hope is not a strategy on which to run a prison." More information at poauk.org.uk

In this episode we go “behind the scenes” of the union and talkto some of the staff who provide vital support to the NEC and full time officers, as well as local reps and members.  Whether its making sure negotiators have the latest information or “ Gatelodge ” is published on time, one thing is clear – no two days are the same. Featuring Angela Sinclair, Paula Larwell, Steve Lewis, Nicola Hubert...

What makes a good prison governor? NEC members Jackie Marshall and Ian Carson share their experiences of the good , the bad and the very bad characteristics of occupants of this crucial position. Will you agree with their conclusions on the must-have qualities needed to be a good governor? Listen and join the debate! More information on all POA activity always available from poauk.org.uk .

POA members know how poor and dangerous the physical state of most UK prisons is.  The union is determined to secure a change for the better and is being supported by MPs such as Kim Johnson (Lab, Liverpool Riverside). Kim has tabled an Early Day Motion calling for the in-sourcing of buildings maintenance work, and in this episode discusses why this issue is so close to her heart, what she hopes t...

National Chair Mark Fairhurst, General Secretary Steve Gillan and National Vice-Chair Dave Todd give an update on latest activity in support of the union's pay claim for 2025 following submission of a written claim to the Prison Service Pay Review Body.

In this new year message, national chair Mark Fairhurst looks forward to 2025 being the year when POA members are heard with increasing clarity on a range of issues including pay,  changes to the Open estate regime, and the in-sourcing of contracted-out building maintenance work, alongside long-running campaigns on “68 is too late”, the right to strike and creating a safer working environment.  Ke...

Coinciding with a feature article in the winter 2024 edition of Gatelodge, NEC member Jackie Marshall, former National Chair John Boddington MBE and Paul Evans from Bradford City Council talk about the origins and enduring importance of this much-loved annual event, which keeps memories alive of those lost and injured in the tragic fire at Bradford City FC in May 1985.  More information in Gatelod...

The POA, like 33 other unions in the UK and Ireland, is affiliated to Justice For Columbia . In this episode, we explore what that relationship means in practice, the vital difference it makes to the POA's counterparts in Colombia, and why the struggles faced in the UK and Colombia are much closer to each other than people may think. All information correct as of September 2024. More information a...

General Secretary Steve Gillan introduces speakers at an event in Parliament held last month to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the removal of prison officers’ right to take industrial action and to urge support for the union’s ongoing campaign for this right to be restored throughout the UK, as it has already been in Scotland.   Those participating include National Chair Mark Fairhurst, TUC G...

Following the removal, in 1994, of the right to strike in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, Prison Service Pay Awards have been recommended to government by a Pay Reivew Body. In this episode GS Steve Gillan and AGS Andy Baxter look at whether this so-called "compensatory mechanism" is a fair alternative, how the POA interacts with it to try and get the best for members, and the union's cont...

The POA’s new health and safety structure has now been augmented by a refreshed reporting system for accidents and near misses.  In this episode, Assistant General Secretary Mick Pimblett, NEC members Jackie Marshall and Health and Safety Consultative Committee member Paul Telford from HMP Frankland discuss the importance of good reporting and reflect on how the HSCC has marked a step change in th...

The Committee recently hosted it’s first gathering for Retired Members at the Cassa Club in Liverpool.  We hear from the national officials, committee members, retired members and guests who were there on the importance and value of such events, their hopes for the future and the importance of a just-launched retired members' survey - the QR code in the podcast logo will take you to the questi...

National Chair Mark Fairhurst gives a key update on the POA members' survey and prison overcrowding. More information at poauk.org.uk . Running time 11.45s

In this episode, recorded on the day the Government both published and accepted all 14 recommendations from the Prison Service Pay Review Body,  National Chair Mark Fairhurst and General Secretary Steve Gillan reflect on the first month of the new Labour Government. As you’ll hear, the verdict so far is one of cautious optimism, but no lessening of effort and focus from the union’s leadership in p...

The union’s annual conference is the most important fixed event in the POA calendar. In this episode we look back at last month’s event with National Chair Mark Fairhurst and General Secretary Steve Gillan. We also hear from some first-time delegates and first time speakers at conference on their experiences. More information at poauk.org.uk .  Delegates’ sound recordings by Greg McDonald of Conse...

In this episode we look at the role of the union in the annual TUC’s Women’s Conference held recently.  We ask what is the importance of the Conference?  And how does it contribute to the drive for greater inclusivity and equality within the POA? The episode also talks about the campaign for greater recognition of fertility and baby death issues.  You can get advice and support from Tommy’s, a cha...

In this special episode, National Chair Mark Fairhurst and General Secretary Steve Gillan share the background to the latest overcrowding crisis, the forceful response from both the union and senior HMPPS management - and the potential risks of the current period of political “purdah” between now and the General Election on 4 July. Mark and Steve also set out the union’s priorities  and hopes for...

The union has recently reviewed and renewed it’s Health and Safety Consultative Committee and already the changes are having a positive effect. In this episode, National vice-chair Dave Todd, NEC member Jackie Marshall and lay committee members Paul, Zaz and Jade talk about how the committee works hard to deliver for members, the current key health and safety challenges, and what drives the commit...

As part of the union’s campaign to support and empower women members, a second Women’s Networking Event was held earlier in the year. In this episode, Amy Crook from HMP Long Lartin and NEC member Jackie Marshall talk about why this event has become such a popular feature in the union’s calendar – ranging from what participants like Amy get out of bringing women members together in a mixture of fo...

Weapon related assaults of prison staff have increased from 10% of all assaults in 2010 to 25% in 2022 – and knife and blade attacks have increased by 16% in the most recent year that statistics are available for.   Despite awful assaults with life-changing consequences, the response of the employer and of government has been slow.  The union is awaiting the outcome of pilot exercises on the remov...

The POA Welfare fund is one of the union’s “jewels in the crown.”  Funded by and for members, £1 of each month’s union subscription is ring-fenced for the Welfare Fund, whose objectives are “the relief of the poor and sickness.”   In this toolkit podcast, POA General Secretary Steve Gillan talks about the origins and workings of the Fund and of the amazing rehabilitation work done by the Firefight...

For better or worse, the private sector is now part of the landscape in the prison and custodial sector.  The POA has a fast growing private sector membership and local officers who have to engage with a different breed of managers and employers.  In this episode we look at the work of the union’s Private Sector Consultative Committee and talk to reps about their experiences of dealing with Sodexo...

In this episode we meet the newly formed POA Committee at Manston Short-Term Holding facility and discuss the unique work of POA members at the juxtaposed sites in France.

Terry McCarthy is the member of the POA’s National Executive Committee who has lead responsibility for the union’s members who work in the YCS.  What he has to report may surprise or even shock POA members who have only worked in the adult sector. www.poauk.org.uk

HMPPS have recently issued mandatory new standards for First Aid at Work and Emergency First Aid at Work. In this Toolkit podcast, Deputy General Secretary Joe Simpson explains the background to the new standards, and the practical consequences of them. POA circular 078 of 2023 refers - you can access that here .