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The POA podcast
Published by POA Podcast
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The podcast of the Prison Officers' Association UK
Listen on Apple PodcastsPublished by POA Podcast
The podcast of the Prison Officers' Association UK
Listen on Apple Podcasts10 min
On the eve of the launch of the annual POA members’ survey*,National Chair Mark Fairhurst and General Secretary Steve Gillan discuss why the union survey is so important and valuable. Put simply, the POA survey asks the questions HMPPS do not and would not. More information at poauk.org.uk The on-line survey opens on 1 August and closes at the end of September. *The survey covers operational grades in England and Wales based in public sector prisons
24 min
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 askthechair@poauk.org.uk . Please include your name and location so we can check membership details.
27 min
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
30 min
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.
18 min
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
17 min
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 askthechair@poauk.org.uk , and don’t forget to include your name and establishment.
19 min
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
10 min
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
17 min
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
21 min
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 askthechair@poauk.org.uk More info at poauk.org.uk .
26 min
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
17 min
The Women’s networking event is now a firm fixture in the POA calendar, but what goes into making the event so popular and successful? NEC member Jackie Marshall gives us the inside track on last November’s gathering, and Dawn Orchard explains why HMPPS employee relations are supportive of the initiative. We also get views from two first-time attendees, Patience and Rhonda. If you’re curious but uncertain whether or not to get involved, everyone has encouraging and supportive words for you! For details of all POA activity, visit poauk.org.uk
12 min
National Chair Mark Fairhurst discusses the results of the2025 POA members’ survey, highlighting the mismatch between what respondents are saying to the union, and the picture painted by the MoJ’s own survey work. He also sets out why maximum involvement by members is so important in making sure the employer has a clear view direct from front line. More information at poauk.org.uk
18 min
Ask The Chair gives POA members and reps the chance to ask National Chair Mark Fairhurst……anything! (and he doesn’t see the questions before-hand). In this episode, questions come from Preston to London, and covers subjectslike emergency response teams in the high security estate, the challenge of Iron Man competitions and whether Everton can get the better of Liverpool in. this season’s Premier League. Got a question? Email askthechair@poauk.org.uk . Visit poauk.org.uk for more info.
14 min
The Tolpuddle Martyrs festival takes palce each July and isa form fixture in the POA calendar. In this episode we hear about the origins of the festival, why it lies close to the heart of the union, and how the union’s involvement has changed and grown over the years. We also hear from Tyler and Mark, two lay POA reps, on their impressions of the festival. It’s fair to say that it’s not at all what they expected. More details on the Festival at their website and of course from poauk.org.uk
9 min
The union’s long-running campaign to lower the retirementage for operational grades gets a new boost today (Wednesday). Following the recent members’ survey, to which there was over 3,000 responses, there is now a new chance to put the views of POA members directly to government. Click on the QR code in the members’ communication issued today to access automatically generated emails for you to send to the key government offices. GS Steve Gillan and AGS Andy Baxter explain what is happening and why – and why the union will simply not let this issue go. More info at poauk.org.uk
10 min
Drone incursions into airspace above prisons has risen sharply, meaning an increased supply of contraband and an increased level of danger for POA members. In this episode National Chair Mark Fairhurst discusses the steps being taken by the union to push back against the drones and their dangerous cargo. He also sets out the problems of the government’s current approach and the steps the union wants them to take - and describes what members and local reps can do to aid the campaign. More info at poauk.org.uk
15 min
In the first episode of a new POA podcast venture, national chair Mark Fairhurst takes questions from POA members and reps. The first Mark knows of the subject matter is when the question is read out to him on the show. This time round Mark is grilled on pensions, support for branch officers, changes to overseas’ nationals’ right to work in the UK and where his football loyalties lie. Members from Belmarsh to New Hall, Nottingham to Dumfries have their say - isn’t it time you had yours? Email your question to askthechair@poauk.org.uk
11 min
In the latest POA podcast, National Chair Mark Fairhurst sets out the process for submitting and securing the union's pay claim through the Prison Service Pay Review Body. Mark decries the deficiencies in the employer's approach and the jeopardy facing approximately 2000 officers affected by the government's changes to the level of income needed to remain in the UK as a working overseas national. More details at poauk.org.uk.
17 min
General Secretary Steve Gillan reviews a successful Trades Union Congress for the union, and looks forward to the challenge and opportunity of his election to the TUC Presidency, including mobilising against Reform and the far right. TUC Assistant General Secretary Kate Bell offers insights into the role and importance of the President. More information at poauk.org.uk