Following negotiations with the Governor of HMP Leyhill along with the Prison Officer Entry Level Training (POELT) Training Centre at the establishment, POA Learning at HMP Dartmoor are set to provide support for ongoing POELT development.

New recruits to the prison service start their careers as POELT’s. This provides new officers with the foundation skills and knowledge they need to begin a career in the Prison Service. It is an 8 week course with training between home establishments and a training delivery site – as is at the very beginning of a prison service career support is vitally important.

POA Learner Support Ivan Judd has recently provided Information Advice and Guidance (IAG) to a total of 34 new recruits being trained at HMP Leyhill with take up on several courses including Level 2 Certificates in Team Leading Knowledge, Mental Health Awareness and Understanding Challenging Behaviour among others.

Ivan said:

The enthusiasm for learning from the new recruits at HMP Leyhill is really impressive and the ongoing link with HMP Leyhill Training Centre will be of universal benefit.”

The keen interest in the POA Learning courses has led to Ivan attending the centre regularly to ensure recruits receive continued support which will be further cemented when POA Learning open another link centre on the site at HMP Leyhill.

The link has also helped increase awareness of the Prison Officers Association (POA) with 34 forms handed out for completion to join the union.