Full Minutes Will Be Made Available by the PGA

29th PGA Conference 11th12th October 2015

Full minutes will be made available by the PGA

Welcome address – Phil Taylor Conference Chair

Domestics explained and delegates requested to keep to conference agenda timings. Phil spoke of the challenges and complexities facing staffand requested that delegates participate fully in an open and honest manner.

Presidents opening address –Andrea Albutt

AA expressed her hope that we enjoyed the next 1 & 1/2 days. She requested that the NEC are given a clear unambiguous mandate to take to NOMs.

She raised some issues relevant to the past 12months.

• Violence and stability – assaults on staff increased by 150% in 4 years.
• Benchmarking – staffing levels reduced to the point of no resilience at all grades, 500 governor grades lost post benchmark.
• NPS – destabilising and placing staff and prisoners at risk.
• Prisoner demographics – younger with morelinks toOCG’s.
• Environment – physical conditions do not provide a rehabilitative environment.

The solution is reform however the programme provides more questions than answers. The establishments will be expected to show improvement however there is an expectation that there will be unrealistic and unachievable expectations on the 10 prisons.

There are to be 5 new prisons opening and it is essential that the PSP at Berwyn is a success. The new ministerial team have changed the terminology for reform and this will bring more accountability, are we equipped for this? Establishments are struggling to gain applicants for posts which identifies that there are insufficient pay bands within f & S to match the complexity of our prisons. Reward packages need to be amended.

Andrea and the NEC are proud and committed to represent the membership.

Paul Laxton - Standing Orders’ Committee Chair – Procedures and Rules of Debate

PL discussed the procedures around standing orders, remissions, rules of debate and amended resolutions.

Conference adopted the agenda, standing orders and the rules of conference..

PL explained that the Michael Spurr speech would be a closed session.

A short silence was held for those members who have passed away over the past 12 months.

National Officer Report – John Attard

JA discussed his role as one of the three national officers.

John thanked the other 2 national officers for their support and work over the year. He also thanked James Bryant for the work he performs.

JA discussed the matters which he thought were important over the last 12 months.

The vast majority of the NEC do not receive facility time and he asked for their work to be recognised, similarly the work performed by the chair.

In our attempt to protect T &C s many hours are spent negotiating & consulting with NOM’s and we have gained some successes.

He stated that Safety is a priority for the newministerial team – this has to be, as we cannot rehabilitate if the conditions prisoners live in are ruled by fear and extortion.Many establishments are in a dilapidated condition with too few staff and unacceptable conditions.

Our role is to hold NOMs to account throughnegotiation, consultation and by representing our members. We also achieve this through proactively using the media. We often get emails asking what we are doing to address issues, we use the media as it is one of the ways we can influence NOMs.

When we find ourselves in a position ofdisagreement we will use whatever avenues that are open to us, up unto and including failures to agree which have been usedtwice over the last 12 months. FTA’s area last resort and will only bein place following extensive research.

FTA – JES is not fit for purpose and it is unacceptable that a regional H & S advisor scores more than a Deputy Governor in a complex prison. Our RHA is not for the operational tasks we complete, it is for working unsociable hours. There is a disparity linked to RHA, between the pay of op and non-op staff at band 9, 10 & 11. This FTA was in the back drop of NOMs wanting members to be forced to complete full C & R. NOMs stated in June 15 that this was a C & T for operational staff, a FTA was submitted and it was agreed that members would be compensated to include this as a T & C. NOMs then stated that would not discuss remunerationlinked to C & R unless the JES FTA was withdrawn. We withdrew the FTA for NOMs to then renege on the agreement, however this can beresubmitted and will be if necessary

FTA – Reform – NOMs were not complying with JERPA, reorganising establishments without consultation. This FTA has been successful as it halted prison reform. We have since had communication with Executive Governors who have committed to consultation. The FTA was then withdrawn and we are nowin a better place to negotiate change in a process of Reform which the PGA supports.

JA gave an example of a member who was not given TSOL representation at an inquest. This includes separate representation if there is a conflict of interest. NOMs can withdraw representation if the individual is deemed to have been deliberately reckless or negligent. We arranged for our own solicitor to arrange barristers to support our member. Wedid present NOMs with a bill for £37,000 for legal services and the association and the member received an apology from NOM’s.

This is just one example we will continue to support our members on the numerous issues that you face.

Graham Smith – Retired PGA

GS gave an overview of the RPGA which currently has 450 members.

He asked conference to enjoy the work we complete despite the challenges faced at present.

The RPGA committee meets biannually and there is an annual reunion at Newbold Revel. A newsletter is produced and they represent other civil service affiliations. The membership fees are £20 if you accept the diary and £13 if you do not.

Open Floor Debate – Prison Reform & Safety

AA opened the debate stressing the importance to the association. She stated her concern at how establishments are being portrayed in the media however this is an accurate reflection of the current environment.

• The NI branch asked for some context. He stated that the position of reform & accountability without being given the tools and resources to effectively complete the work isan untenable situation.
• JA reflected on the fact that senior NOMs and ministers are acknowledging the levels of violence within prisons. It is a concern that staff becomes desensitised. Self-inflicted deaths have increased by over 100% over the last 4 years, a reversal of benchmarking and staff reductions would have made a difference. There have also been 11 murders over the last 12-15 months; this is in addition to the high numbers of serious assaults.
• Liverpool branch asked for the impact, of deaths in prison, on staff to be recognised.
• Ford branch raised a concern that the reforms made over the last 15 yearshave been disregardedand ignored. He also raised concerns regarding the OM model and staff models which do not allow appropriate assessment of risk which contributes to increasing violence.
• Whitemoor branch spoke of the pressure on CSC and conditions within HSE segregation units, including the lack of electricity in 2 establishments. He raised concerns that there is no job description or resource committed to LERT and C &R co-ordinators. Work has increased 10 fold following the court case regarding segregating prisoners who are violent. We are put in a position where dangerous prisoners are being placed back into the population.
• Featherstone branch spoke of changes and modernisations of the prison service over the last 5 years. The PGA supported modernisation of the PSPS and we should be careful on how we support reform. Conditions in prisons have changed, and pay has been reduced for all staff, there needs to be a point where we must say this cannot go on. We should applaud the plan for 400 new staff but this is recognition of previous decisions which have failed. We should be careful on how we support reform, safety is paramount and we all want a decent place to work which allows prisoners an appropriate environment to change.
• Feltham branch stated how violence has changed. Prisoners now will assault staff with impunity and there has been an increase in multi-perpetrator serious assaults.
• North Sea Camp branch spoke of the worries that staff are not available to respond to issues. Money needs to be provided give us back our previous levels of funding, we need return not reform.
• NEC spoke of how safety and numbers go hand in hand.In addition£1.2 billion is the figure needed to get the estate up to basic decent standards.

Safety may be the number one priority but why are safer custody resources flexible. We need to underpin establishments with decent standards which will help to address safety and safer custody issues.

• A delegate again stressed that this is not reform it is an admission of failure.
• Cardiff branch linked safety to complexity and the reduction in resources which reduces the ability to provide a bronze standard. We should mandate our NEC to implement a legal challenge to decisions which impact on our H & S.
• Woodhill branch spoke of DIC and their last HMIP inspection. This stated that a factor was that we were receiving prisoners late at night. The CI stated that we should tear up the PECS contract, whatever cost is not comparable to the life of an individual.
• Liverpool branch spoke of the shock he was met with when he returned to the establishment following a period in HQ. He spoke of the concern that losing staff on VEDs reduces the skills to deal with issues. Prisoners are now more complex and all prisons are therefore allcomplex.
• NEC spoke of mental health issues which contribute and cause DICs and instability. Liverpool gave examples of staff that have been seriously assaulted by prisoners waiting sectioning. Gated cells are also awaiting repair which places individuals at risk, which is unacceptable.
• Sudbury branch spoke of the need to look at recruitment processes. It is bureaucratic process where local establishments cannot benefit from over recruitment in the local area, we need to be able to be more flexible in the deployment of staff.
• Berwyn asked that the PGA ensure that we are allowed to recruit the right people based on their values not the existing competencies. 100% of their new POELT cohort have remained until the end of their current course which reflects the success of this initiative.
• New Hall spoke of the plan to recruitfrom the armed forces. The lowest ranks in the forces are used to receiving discipline not enforcing it. The lower managerial ranks are paid far in excess ofprison officers.
• Brinsford branch spoke of the money which was found following HMIP inspection. She also spoke of problems with allocation, examples of serious assaults from foreign national prisoners who committed assaults in order to remain in the country.Money should be provided proactively not reactively.
• NEC (JA) spoke of issues at Wandsworth and media stories involving indecent standards and violence within establishments which dictates the loss of trust between staff and prisoners. The increase in funding needs to be gauged against the near £1 billion removed from PSP.

There have been massive increases in assaults nearly 7000 more assaults in the last 4 years than in the previous 4 years. Statistics do not tell the story how individual staff suffer from a personal level.He never understood what safe decent & secure meant when benchmarking was introduced, it is a mantra which means nothing.

• NEC stated concerns regarding the Amey and Carillion contracts. Leeds branch raised the point that we need to raise the issues with Amey through formal complaints procedures. Durham branch stated the view that vandalism is increasing because of the lack of supervision and increased levels of boredom.

AA closed the debate speaking of the challenges we made to the benchmarking process, how the issues and concerns we raised have come true and her dismay at how our views were disregarded at the time. She spoke of the need to up staffing in administrative grades as well as discipline officers. There was then a recap of the issues raised.

Shaun Williamson – Finance Officer’s Report

• Excess of income over of expenditure of £18,497 compared to last year.
• Membership subscriptions of remained broadly the same.
• Increase in legal fees of £25,000.
• Decrease in travel cost of £8,292s.
• Decrease in conference costs of £8,000.

Conference formally accepted financial accounts.

3 trustees for accounts were proposed and accepted by conference.

Kevin Billson – Membership Report

Membership has decreased by 20members from 1041 in 2015 to 1021 in 2016, a return to the 2014 membership levels.

There has been a reduction in new members England and Wales.

A decreaseof 4 members in Scotland

Anincrease of 3 membersin NI

43members who work in private sector – 4%of total membership.

A reminder of eligibility which is Public Sector Governors in Band 7-11 and are full or part time are operational or previously had been operational. Fast track schemes providing they remain on the scheme. Private sector posts providing they have roles which are directly comparable to Public Sector roles. Accredited CM’s are also eligible.

Membership;

• 73% are male 27% are female

A request for members to maintain accurate records with the PGA

Scotland Report

Nigel Ironside spoke of the differences between the Scottish justice systems and those in England and Wales. He spoke of the difficulties faced by NOMs and the issues expected to be faced by the SPS.

• The SPS has seen investment of £850 million however there is no more funding to continue with this investment.
• JI spoke of the all-time low prisoner population in Scotland and howit is older prisoners and sex offenders which show the largest proportionate increase which has been compounded by the political agenda to further the convictions of historic sex crimes and perpetrators of domestic abuse. The outcome of an older population serving longer sentences is that staff are becoming even more so the role of carer as well as custodian.
• The 2014 ‘unlocking potential’ initiative is still invested in by Governors who craftthe change agenda to meet objectives.
• He stated that ’Community justice strategies are also changing and the Governing Governors are required to be representative in local community justice boards. We must not forget that we are a custodial service first and foremost and we look with interest at the reform agenda. The political imperative is to retain prisons within the public sector however we in the Scottish PGA do not receive sufficient facility time to perform our role effectively and we remain proportionately unrewarded in relation to our colleagues elsewhere. Westill intend to be proactive in inputting our voice into national agendas however we pin an environment which is unrecognisable to those in England and Wales. You have the upmost support from your colleagues in Scotland; our issues may be different however our aims are the same in dealing with some of the most complex and dangerousindividuals in society.’

Guest Speaker: Sam Gyimah MP, Prisons Minister

SG thanked conference for the opportunity to attend and speak. He stated that we are some of the most valued public sector staff in the country. He offered reassurances that the PGA are full partners in our reform and safety plans.

He stated ‘We will have more staff to tackle violence and provide prisons which are places of reform. It is entirely right that the state punishes those who commit crime lose their liberty. We must keep the public safe and protect the victims of crime. We must however break the cycle of crime which leads to more victims and more crime.’

‘I am only too aware of the complexities of our role looking after some of our most anti-social individuals. For reform to work we must use every part of our expertise and abilities. Every day I read reports of the operational incidents which involve staff within establishments and I am aware of the challenges you face. When I last met with the PGA NEC they did not pull any punches. You will soon here of our planned changes in our white paper a blueprint for change up to 2020. You do not need a lecture from me in our need to provide prisons which are a place of safety and reform.’

‘We have provided additional funding for staff in 10 prisons allowing for an extra 400 staff. Therearenewlaws introduced to tackle drugs, drones and mobile phones. Some safety measures are in place with the introduction of body worn cameras. I will soon be meeting with mobile phone providers in order to put measures in place tocombatthe misuse of phones. You have told me of issues regardingCarillion. This morning I challenged Carillion managers to provide me with action plans detailing how this will improve.’

‘Establishments can provide prisoners with a discipline they have never known. One of my priorities is to see more prisoners in work. I know you are frustrated by the failure to get more prisoners on ROTL. The justice secretary and I wish to see more prisoners given this opportunity and do not want to see one or two high profile cases put this initiative at risk.’