The POA podcast

National Chair Mark Fairhurst on seeing the union's persistence on Fitness Tests yielding results, and the truth behind the HMP Wandsworth Independent Monitoring Board report. For information on all POA activity, visit www.poauk.org.uk

The union’s political activity is at the heart of this episode.  General Secretary Steve Gillan and Parliamentary Researcher Charley Allan discuss why political activity is unavoidable, how the union makes sure its voice is heard loudly in Parliament, and the importance of the union’s Political Fund.  More information at poauk.org.uk . Follow the union on Facebook and X

In this episode we are joined by former Prison Officer and POA rep, author Alex South.  Her book Behind These Doors detailing Alex’s 10 years in the prison service was published earlier this year to great acclaim from critics and readers.  Extracts were serialised in the Sunday Times and it was a BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week . Alex’s writing journey was kick started when she entered and won the Be...

Members in closed grades are being urged to seriously consider opting-in to the F&S structure.  In this special episode, DGS Joe Simpson, AGS Andy Baxter and NEC member Sarah Rigby (herself in an F&S grade) look at the facts of the matter, and dispel some of the misunderstandings that have surfaced.  There is a real decision for closed grade members to make and this podcast gives the facts...

Recruitment and organising new young members are key issues for all unions, and the POA has recently established a Young Members’ Consultative Committee to support young activists as they begin their journeys as POA representatives.   In this episode, recorded immediately following their first meeting. YMCC members Natalie, Declan, Katie and Tyler plus Deputy General Secretary Joe Simpson speak ca...

In this episode retiring NEC member Dave Cook looks back on 30 years’ service to the POA – how he got involved, why the NEC is different to work at a branch level, how the job and the union have changed,  what further change is still necessary, and the high profile issues that Dave was instrumental in  - keeping members safe despite overcrowding and the pandemic.   Dave’s reputation is one of stra...

The POA is campaigning for a Royal Commission into the Criminal Justice system to address the many and inter-locking issues affecting the union’s members – including pensionable age, recruitment and retention, and violence at work.  In this special episode, General Secretary Steve Gillan and Deputy General Secretary Joe Simpson talk about the progress being made and the importance of events like t...

National Chair Mark Fairhurst and General Secretary Steve Gillan look back at the POA’s annual conference, held earlier this month in Eastbourne.  What were the stand-out debates and contributions?  Which guest speakers had most impact? What are the priority issues following conference? What is the state of the union following this most important of events?  Keynote speeches from the conference ar...

In this toolkit podcast, POA DGS Joe Simpson describes the vital role undertaken by Union Safety Representatives, or USRs.  He also discusses why the role is not as complex as it may sometimes sound, and gives guidance on how you can become a USR and the support that is available.  In the podcast, Joe refers to the following – click on the link to find out more: IOSH – Institute of Occupational Sa...

In this episode we look at the work of POA members in secure mental health institutions, particularly Rampton, Ashworth and Carstairs.  What is the journey that leads people to this very demanding type of work?  What are the differences between working in the NHS and HMPPS? And how do you organise a ballot when you have members spread across 247 locations?  Members of the Consultative Committee gi...

This episode focusses on the role of dog-handlers on the prison estate, the dogs who work with them and the union’s Dog Handlers’ Consultative Committee. With NEC member Jackie Marshall, and DHCC members Lester Cobley and Michael Doyle. Find out more at poauk.org.uk

In this episode we look at the work of the Operational Support grades, or OSGs. OSGs are the second largest occupational group in the POA but have an extensive list of responsibilities including vital roles in Control Rooms and on Gate duties. Unlike many of their colleagues, OSGs also retain the legal right to take industrial action. To tell us more about the role of OSGs both in the prison servi...

In this special bite-sized edition, National Chair of the POA Mark Fairhurst discusses two new political challenges for the union. The Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill being rushed through Parliament will directly affect the ability of those members who still have the right to strike to exercise that right, but will also cause concern for everyone else too. And last week the government publis...

In this episode, Patrick McGguire from Thompson’s solicitors who works closely with the POA in Scotland explains why any POA member with any legal issue whatsoever should think first of approaching the union’s legal services, and why using “high street, fat cat, no win, no fee” outfits will end up costing members more for an inferior service. Patrick also shares the results of detailed market rese...

The first POA’s Women’s Networking event took place last month. Women activists came from across the UK to learn from each other’s experiences and listen top-drawer speakers such as Clare Mellor, Chief Executive of Thompsons Solicitors, Kudsia Batool , head of the equalities at the TUC, Tracey Varela, MOJ HR business partner and Andrea Mistry from the MOJ’s Tackling Unacceptable Behaviours Unit. T...

In this episode we focus on employment law issues – from dismissal, through discrimination, to a wide range of contractual terms and conditions. Emma Game, from the POA’s legal services partner Thompson’s, talks us through what issues are most prevalent,  what makes for a successful claim for compensation, and how cases are managed though the legal process. This is a key benefit for members,...

POA activist Sally Jameson is not only chair of her branch at HMP Moorland, she has also recently been selected to contest the Doncaster Central parliamentary seat for the Labour Party in the next General Election. In this special episode Sally tells us how her work as a Prison Officer has contributed to a determination to bring the values of public service,  proper terms and conditions and a...

In this episode, we talk to Sarah Gardner from the POA’s legal services providers, Thompson’s solicitors. Sarah walks us through the procedure followed when POA members suffer an injury at work and want to make a claim for compensation, and gives some real-life examples of cases taken and won. POA members and their families are also covered for many types of injury and road traffic accidents away...

This special episode looks at the role played by POA members in the immigration sector, including an update from the Manston Airport site following a recent visit by POA national officials. The union has a long-standing presence in many areas of the sector but following a recruitment drive, membership has more than doubled to over 400. Assistant General Secretary Andy Baxter explains what POA memb...

In this episode, Emma Hulme from Thompson’s, the provider of the POA’s legal services, talks about the stressful experience of being arrested – in what circumstances that is likely, what support is available and, crucially, how can POA members access that support when they need it. Arrest is more common than you might think which makes this episode essential listening. More information at poauk.or...

In a special edition of the POA Podcast, hear the NC Mark Fairhurst, DGS Joe Simpson and NEC members Jackie Marshall and Sarah Rigby highlight and discuss issues faced by female colleagues in the workplace. For more information and an opportunity attend a residential supporting women in the workplace workshop, please see circular 81/22 (https://www.poauk.org.uk/news-events/news-room/posts/2022/sep...

In this episode,  POA Assistant General Secretary Mick Pimblett talks about the union’s legal services:  What is covered? How can members access those services? How is the union’s policy on legal services determined?  And the importance of specialised legal support to launch judicial reviews in policy areas that are vital for the POA.  This benefit for members has secured over...

All deaths in custody trigger an inquest by a Coroner's Court.  In this episode Keith Shepherd from Thompson's solicitors walks us through the process from start to finish, with unrivalled experience and insights.  We also hear from POA branch official Laura Bird on just why POA membership and legal support is so important in these situations.  For more information visit www.po...

The POA is working hard to be as inclusive as possible. Part of this is to work for and with members with disabilities. In this episode deputy General Secretary Joe Simpson and NEC  members Jackie Marshall and Geoff Willetts discuss what we mean by disability, and how the union campaigns and negotiates for more awareness of, and fair treatment for, members with disabilities. More information...

POA General Secretary Steve Gillan and National Chairman Mark Fairhurst look back at the first in-person POA conference for three years, and preview the TUC's New Deal for Working People demonstration on 18 June - why it is important, how to take part and how you can get there. More details at poauk.org.uk and tuc.org.uk