justice unions can be a way to protect workers, improve training and better working environments. In this article, we’ll be looking at how exactly justice unions can achieve this and what is it precisely that they can do for workers.

1. WHAT IS A JUSTICE UNION?
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0800 389 6332

2. editor@community-tu.org
0800 389 6332
A justice union services those who work in the privatised justice and custodial sector. There
are now 14 prisons operated contractually by private providers such as Sodexo Justice Services,
Serco and G4S Justice Services. Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) makes
up the other 104 public prisons in the UK.
While the backbone of the justice system relies on these workers, their role puts them at
considerable risk compared to other sectors that include their physical well-being and their
mental well-being. With Community-TU’s survey showing that over 7,979 attacks occurred in
2020 alone, there have been rising calls for institutes to implement better protections for
prison workers.
To this end, justice unions can be a way to protect workers, improve training and better
working environments. In this article, we’ll be looking at how exactly justice unions can
achieve this and what is it precisely that they can do for workers.

3. editor@community-tu.org
0800 389 6332
Who is a Justice Union for?
The total number of prison workers in the UK was over 20,000 in England and Wales.
Included in this statistic are those that work in:
Private prisons
Secure immigration centres
Young offender institutions
Secure training centres
Courts & prisoner escorting
Electronic monitoring services
Overseas escort services
All of these workers can access justice union services. As we will discuss below, there are many
issues that workers may share.

4. editor@community-tu.org
0800 389 6332
CommonIssuesJustice and Custodial Workers Face
The cumulative length of service for prison workers has continued to drop yearly by over
86’000, with one prison’s turnover rate of over 25%. The main reason for this, as mentioned,
is related to the potential for violence within the role. However, there are several other
concerns prison workers face:
Pay: This remains an issue for prison workers, particularly due to the high-risk nature of
the roles
Improve staff training and Develop future leaders: Despite the POELT (Prison Officer Entry
Level Training) training programme in the UK, as demonstrated, retention levels continue to
drop. This suggests that prison providers must set out better plans for either the long term
development of staff members or enhanced programmes for retaining long-standing officers
in the sector.

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0800 389 6332
Improve work environment and conditions: One of the critical factors for prison workers is
receiving adequate safety provisions to carry out their jobs. For instance, body-worn cameras
and stab vests so officers can better protect themselves. To this end, justice unions can
negotiate with public and private prison sectors to provide funding in these areas.
What Do Justice Unions Do?
There are several ways unions can benefit workers. Community has been leading the ‘keep us
safe’ campaign to improve workers' conditions. Joining a union is one way to raise support for
these issues and allow workers to hear their voices.
To find out more about what a union can do for you, consider joining our community.

6. editor@community-tu.org
0800 389 6332
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