by Lamiat Sabin
In Southport

OFFICIALS from prison officers’ union POA announced yesterday that they could no longer work with the industry’s “independent” pay review board after warnings that pay cuts are affecting morale were met with outright denials.

Wage talks have become increasingly difficult in the sector in the face of a below-inflation offer of 1 per cent for staff at prisons and secure psychiatric institutions — despite escalating levels of inmate violence, heavier workloads, unsociable hours and severe health risks.

POA officers have consistently argued that improved wages and conditions will be vital to combat a widespread crisis in morale among their membership.

But institutions are required to submit “evidence” that higher pay will be better for officers before the Prison Service Pay Review Body (PSPRB) will consider the idea.

And PSPRB pen-pushers have staked out a combative position to head off requests, stubbornly telling staff that pay “cannot resolve issues of morale and motivation.”

The board’s decision was fiercely criticised during the first day of the POA’s annual conference in Southport, with executive members telling delegates they plan to bypass it in favour of “collective bargaining” directly with the Conservative government.

POA national executive council (NEC) member Jackie Marshall argued “pay and morale are fundamental to prisons” and warned that by freezing wages the PSPRB has “failed to recognise officers’ roles in society.”

NEC member Ralph Valerio told delegates the pay rise refusal has been “an eloquent kick in the teeth.”

Mr Valerio added: “What do they know about prison officers? Do you have confidence in these people?”

POA chairman Peter McParlin said: “Someone needs to wake up and smell the coffee. What planet are these people on?”

The PSPRB board is made up primarily of senior industry figures who cite their “experience in handling pay of both private and public sector workers.”

Writing in the Star, POA general secretary Steve Gillan thas said he is looking forward to working with new Justice Secretary Michael Gove to resolve issues which have built up over the last few years.