Unions respond to toxic conditions in prisons and probation

Prison and probation unions say their members feel vindicated after a long-awaited report into bullying, harassment and discrimination within His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) exposed “toxic conditions”.

The report, authored by Ministry of Justice non-executive director Jennifer Rademaker, uncovered systemic discrimination in HMPPS, with black and disabled workers worst affected.

POA national chair Mark Fairhurst said: “Things must change and we will hold the leaders of the service to account if this is yet another set of recommendations that gets left to gather dust.”

Napo general secretary Ian Lawrence urged action to expose “the reality of racism, sexism, and corruption within HMPPS that our members tell us about”.