68 is too late

The desperate situation in many of our prisons – desperate for both prisoners and the staff who work in prisons – is one of the most conspicuous signs of a decade of decay. Conspicuous, that is, for those who work in and around prisons. The awful state of our prisons is almost entirely hidden from the wider public.

The hollowing out of the prison operational workforce – both the large drop in overall numbers and the disproportionate loss of experienced, senior staff – might have been sustainable had it been part of plan to reduce workloads and shrink the prison estate. This was broadly Ken Clarke’s plan when he announced his ‘rehabilitation revolution’ over a decade ago. But this particular revolution was never properly thought-through or implemented. While successful in cutting budgets and staff, it utterly failed to reduce workloads or prisoner numbers.

As the Prison Officers Association has pointed out on numerous occasions, the decision back in 2013 not to include prison officers among the “uniformed services” – the armed forces, police and firefighters – protected from the rise in the state pension age made no logical sense. It did, though, make perfect sense as part of the ongoing austerity agenda.

The impact on prison officer morale, officer retention, and the attractiveness of the job for prospective recruits, is clear, if difficult to quantify.

I write this as someone who would like to see a plan from government – a distant prospect currently – to substantially reduce the prison population and shrink the size of the estate. But given where we are, it matters greatly that our prisons are adequately staffed, by a properly paid, trained and valued workforce. A realistic retirement age at which prison officers can claim their pension, in line with expectations in the other uniformed services, is a necessary part of this.

It matters to the prison staff themselves, of course. If we expect them to work in some of the most challenging conditions any public sector worker can be expected to face, it is important that this is reflected in their pay and conditions.

It matters for prisoners, who rely on well-trained, motivated and confident officers. The long shadow of the Covid lockdown continues to be cast on prisons, with many prisoners still spending the large majority of their time locked in their cells. Without a fair settlement for prison officers, including on the age at which they can claim their pension, it is difficult to see how the role will ever be more than a second or third choice to many prospective recruits. And without more staff, it is difficult to see how decent and humane prison regimes can become the norm, rather than the exception.

And finally, it matters for the wider justice system. If the terms and conditions of prison officers remain unattractive in comparison to those on offer in the police in particular, we should hardly be surprised if potential recruits chose that particular uniformed service over working in prisons.

This article was originally written for a booklet produced by the Prison Officers Association as part of its campaign to lower the age at which prison officers can claim a full pension.