Views from the frontline: support for prison officers during the pandemic

In the first in our ‘views from the frontline’ series, we spoke to the Prison Officers’ Association’s (POA) assistant general secretary Mick Pimblett about the impact the outbreak is having on people working in the prison and probation sector, and the work that’s underway to meet the challenges of the coronavirus (COVID-19) head on and keep members safe.

How has the union been communicating with members during the outbreak?

The POA has been constantly updating members on the situation in relation to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and their personal safety using POA Circulars, Health and Safety Circulars, General Secretary Updates and National Chairman Updates.

What’s been the top priority so far?

Our members’ safety. We’ve been working in partnership with the government and Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) to ensure members are as safe as they possibly can be.

What sort of issues are on the POA’s agenda during the outbreak?

We’ve faced – and tackled – a variety of issues in relation to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak so far, including: securing confirmation of keyworker status, accessing the right personal protective equipment (PPE) and issuing COVID-19 operational guidance (which covers all aspects of regime delivery when confronted with potential severe staff shortages). We’ve also been ensuring the application of public health advice, managing staff redeployment and safeguarding vulnerable staff.

There’s also been a number of additional HR responsibilities, and we’ve issued guidance on sick leave excusals, disciplinary case reviews and recruitment issues, developed staff reward and recognition schemes, fought for the relaxation of rules surrounding pension abatement, the ‘selling’ of annual leave and suspension of fitness testing and secured COVID-19 testing for members, amongst other things.

How easy was it to achieve those outcomes for members?

None of these things have been ‘handed to members’ by the employers. It has only been through concerted negotiations that they were agreed. The POA’s National Executive Committee (NEC) will continue to promote and protect members’ interests throughout this outbreak and beyond.

What’s next?

Negotiations have also taken place with accommodation providers, including Center Parcs, who have recognised the value of POA members by offering subsidised accommodation for members who are apprehensive about going home in case they pass the virus on to their loved ones. A truly magnificent gesture by these companies and the POA NEC has now agreed to fund this subsidised accommodation.

The POA NEC has also recognised that members may need expert help to get through these difficult times, and that’s why we recently organised an Independent Stress Line which is a professional service that allows members access to mental health professionals if things are getting on top of them.

What message would you send to members and anyone working in the prison and probation service during the outbreak?

There is no blueprint for this, and it is a very challenging situation for all. We need to all pull together and make agreements that probably we would never have entertained in normal times. The NEC recognises that all POA members are true professionals and will do their very best to look after those in our care and indeed each other. Difficult decisions will have to be made in the coming days, weeks and months but the POA NEC is confident we will all rise to the challenge.