Bullying in the prison service

In May 2015, the prison officers’ association (POA) published the results of an independent survey it commissioned from the University of Bedfordshire in its Work–related stress and wellbeing report.

The survey found that experiences of bullying and harassment appear to be more common than in other sectors. Less than a third of POA members reported that they have never been subject to harassment and only 40% said that they had never experienced bullying at work.

One officer commented: “Managers do not listen to any concerns you may have and they operate by bullying and threats. They harass you at home on rest days and during annual leave to change shifts, or tell you that you are being extended. They also pester you when you are on sick leave on a daily basis demanding to know when you are returning to work. At times there seems to be no escape from them.”