The government has obtained a High Court injunction preventing the Prison Officers' Association (POA) from asking members in England and Wales to withdraw from voluntary tasks on Wednesday. The action was planned amid a dispute over pay, pensions and rising violence in prisons.
The POA had argued that withdrawing from voluntary roles was not industrial action or a breach of discipline. However, the government contended that the plan breached laws banning prison officers from striking. Mr Justice Leggatt ruled that evidence indicated the proposed action constituted industrial action.
The voluntary tasks from which officers were due to withdraw included suicide prevention, first aid, control and restraint, and hostage negotiation. This follows a period of escalating tensions between staff and the Ministry of Justice.
Last week, ministers announced pay rises of up to £5,000 for some officers at 31 prisons in London and the south-east, citing recruitment problems. The POA said the move had "incensed" members who would not benefit. In November, thousands of officers held a 24-hour strike over health and safety concerns, which was also blocked by a court order, followed by talks on pay and pensions.
The Ministry of Justice recently announced the scrapping of the National Offender Management Service, to be replaced by a new prison and probation service aimed at cutting crime and reforming offenders. Shadow justice secretary Richard Burgon criticised the government, saying its "complacent attitude" suggested it was not serious about resolving the crisis in prisons.
