PODCAST

The POA podcast

POA Podcast

The podcast of the Prison Officers" Association UK

business non-profit

All Episodes

00:09:17

68 is too late - important campaign update

The POA podcast ·

2025/11/05

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

00:10:52

Drones and how we stop them

The POA podcast ·

2025/10/28

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

00:15:14

Ask The Chair

The POA podcast ·

2025/10/23

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

00:11:38

Pay 2026 update

The POA podcast ·

2025/10/14

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.

00:17:26

POA at the TUC - Steve Gillan elected President

The POA podcast ·

2025/09/25

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

00:23:09

Tribunal win for Gatwick IRC members

The POA podcast ·

2025/08/29

In this episode, we get the inside track on a great "win" for the union - 147 members at Gatwick IRC were found to have had their employment rights breached when the employer, Serco, imposed a pay deal in 2023 rather than continuing negotiations with the POA. Featuring Gatwick IRC Branch Secretary Heran Limbachia, Iain Birrell from Thomson's solicitors, GS Steve Gillan, DGS Mick Pimblett and National Chair Mark Fairhurst. More details at poauk.org.uk.

00:21:33

POA member services: Chesterton Grant

The POA podcast ·

2025/08/20

Since 2023, Chesterton Grant has been providing expert advice to union members on mortgages, pensions and estate planning – all subjects where a little help can make a big difference.Steve Wright leads for Chesterton Grant on pensions and estate planning, and Dave Rooney who is responsible for the company’s work on mortgages, set out why this should be of interest to many if not all POA members.More information poauk.org.uk/our-union/member-benefits/financial-services/

00:17:28

Labour in government 1 year on

The POA podcast ·

2025/08/07

National Chair Mark Fairhurst reviews Labour's first year in office. What progress has been made on key POA concerns and what is left to be done? Spoiler alert - the dial has been turned in a positive direction, but there is still a long way to go. More information at poauk.org.uk

00:13:22

Members' benefits from POA Protect

The POA podcast ·

2025/07/11

POA members will probably be familiar with POA Protect, the organisation that partners with the union to provide a wide range of members’ services and benefits. But how well doyou know what those services are and what benefit they could be not just to members but to their families too? In this episode Alison from POA Protect gives us the inside track on just what is available. You may be pleasantly surprised. More information here. Join the union at poauk.org.uk/join

00:22:37

PTSD - confronting the epidemic

The POA podcast ·

2025/06/25

New research work by trainee Forensic on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was unveiled at the union’s recent annual conference. Out of a survey size of 400, a frightening 51.7% were found to be exhibiting signs of PTSD. In this episode report author and trainee ForensicPsychologist Laura Wright tells us more about the report’s findings, what an appropriate response might look like and how to know if you may be carrying the symptoms of PTSD. To access support for PTSD speak to your GP or EAP

00:13:23

Conference Review

The POA podcast ·

2025/05/23

National Chair Mark Fairhurst and General Secretary Steve Gillan reflect on an eventful and important POA annual conference. What were the stand-out moments? Which issues commanded most attention? And what happens to all the motions adopted by Conference when they are passed to the NEC? More information at poauk.org.uk

00:25:59

The importance of Regime Management Plans

The POA podcast ·

2025/05/09

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

00:24:01

Behind the scenes at the POA

The POA podcast ·

2025/05/01

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 and Helen Whitaker.More information at poauk.org.uk

00:24:49

What makes a good governor?

The POA podcast ·

2025/03/14

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.

00:19:26

Fixing buildings maintenance in prisons

The POA podcast ·

2025/02/28

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 the motion will achieve and how POA members and local reps can help. The episode also features

00:13:15

Pay 2025 update

The POA podcast ·

2025/02/03

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.

00:15:43

New Year message from the National Chair

The POA podcast ·

2025/01/10

In this new year message, national chair Mark Fairhurstlooks 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. Keep up to date at poauk.org.uk and to support the insourcing campaign, click here for details

00:23:50

POA and the Valley Parade Memorial Tournament

The POA podcast ·

2024/12/10

Coinciding with a feature article in the winter 2024 editionof 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 Gatelodge magazine and at poauk.org.uk

00:28:25

POA and Justice For Columbia

The POA podcast ·

2024/12/02

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 at poauk.org.uk

00:49:20

We want our trade union rights back!

The POA podcast ·

2024/11/15

General Secretary Steve Gillan introduces speakers at anevent 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 General Secretary Paul Nowak, Mick Whelan from Aslef, Mick Lynch from the RMT, Martin Kavanagh of PCS,

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