Many Nigerians are reportedly being recruited as prison officers in the UK to help address staffing shortages in overcrowded prisons.
The Telegraph reports that the UK prison service has begun sponsoring skilled worker visas for the first time, following a rule change that permits international recruitment. According to prison governors, a significant number of new recruits are from Nigeria, with some switching to the role from other visa categories. However, many workers soon face accommodation challenges, as job offers do not include housing provisions.
Some recruits have resorted to camping or even sleeping in their cars to save money. Mark Fairhurst, president of the Prison Officers’ Association (POA), shared the story of a foreign recruit who commuted 70 miles daily from Huddersfield to Nottingham, later opting to sleep in his car outside the prison to cut costs. At another facility, recruits camped in a wooded area nearby after realizing no housing was provided.
“We’ve had cases where people arrive at the gates with their families and luggage, asking, ‘Where is the accommodation?’” Mr. Fairhurst said.
This recruitment drive follows changes to visa regulations in October 2023, which added prison officers to the list of skilled workers eligible for sponsorship. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) estimates that around 250 foreign nationals have been sponsored to join the prison service thus far, completing interviews and vetting processes online. Governors report a high demand for these roles, particularly from Africa. In one month last year, two-thirds of 3,500 applicants were from the continent.
Tom Wheatley, president of the Prison Governors Association (PGA), believes the surge in applications has been fueled by word-of-mouth within the Nigerian expatriate community.
This influx has presented challenges, particularly in remote rural areas, where integrating into local communities and overcoming communication barriers have become issues. Wheatley pointed out that the Nigerian expat community has helped promote the recruitment efforts online.
Despite these challenges, the Prison Service asserts that all recruits undergo thorough assessments and training. “The changes in the skilled worker visa scheme in October 2023 have enabled us to sponsor foreign nationals. All staff, regardless of nationality, go through rigorous assessments and training to meet our high standards,” said a spokesperson.
However, Mr. Fairhurst criticized the recruitment process, particularly the reliance on Zoom interviews and six weeks of training. He argued that this system is insufficient for properly preparing recruits to manage prisoners effectively. “The process is simply not fit for purpose,” he warned, raising concerns that it could lead to the recruitment of underqualified or corrupt officers.
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