Jail staff from abroad left to camp outside their prisons or live in their cars because they have no accommodation
Prison officers hired abroad have been camping outside jails or living in their cars as they have no accommodation, governors have claimed.
Prison officers hired abroad have been camping outside jails or living in their cars as they have no accommodation, governors have claimed.
Wardens recruited from countries such as Nigeria have turned up for work on their first day expecting to be handed living quarters with their job.
The Prison Officers’ Association (POA) has warned that interviewing applicants on video calls is leading to an influx of staff who cannot perform the role properly.
Mark Fairhurst, national chairman of the POA, has said the Prison Service’s recruitment policy – which includes sponsoring visas for foreign workers – is ‘not fit for purpose’.
He told the Lords justice and home affairs committee: ‘I am hearing some horror stories... about recruits from overseas turning up at the gate with suitcases and family in tow asking: “Where’s my accommodation?”
‘We have had examples of overseas recruits sleeping in their cars. Apparently, a bunch of overseas recruits – because they have no accommodation – have set up camp in a wooded area opposite the prison where they are working.’
Mr Fairhurst also said another individual recruited remotely was later found to have cerebral palsy – meaning they could not lock or unlock cell doors, restrain prisoners or conduct rub-down searches.
Wardens recruited from countries such as Nigeria have turned up for work on their first day expecting to be handed living quarters with their job. Pictured: File photo
The Prison Officers’ Association (POA) has warned that interviewing applicants on video calls is leading to an influx of staff who cannot perform the role properly. Pictured: File photo
The Prison Officers’ Association (POA) has warned that interviewing applicants on video calls is leading to an influx of staff who cannot perform the role properly. Pictured: File photo
Others have faced difficulties with language and communication, while there has been an alleged increase in corruption among wardens, too. ‘We are setting people up to fail,’ Mr Fairhurst said. ‘Where are the stringent standards and vetting procedures to prevent that?
‘I have witnessed the recruitment procedure. It is not good enough. We want it back to face-to-face.’
POA general secretary Steve Gillan also said: ‘You can’t get a proper feel for someone over Zoom. People are turning up who are totally unsuitable. Rather than helping, they actually put greater pressure on the existing workforce.’
It is believed 250 foreign nationals have been sponsored to work in jails following digital interviews – and up to two-thirds of applicants have been from Africa.
The jobs, which include coveted skilled worker visas, have been promoted online by the Nigerian expat community.
A Prison Service spokesman said: ‘In October 2023, changes were made to the skilled worker visa scheme...Our prison officers undergo robust assessments and training before they work in prisons.’
Mr Fairhurst also warned that failing to block drones around jails could lead to guns being smuggled in and prisoners being airlifted out.
‘We know there are drones out there that have a capability to lift a 75kg (11st 8lb) load,’ he said. ‘That is somebody off the exercise yard.’