Guernsey Prison to explore use of temporary officers

Friday, 31 July 2026 07:55

By Euan Mahy

Head of Justice says it is at an early stage and no agency staff have been employed to date.

Unite union members began working to rule at Guernsey Prison earlier this week over 'long-standing concerns over pay, staff retention and recruitment, increasing workplace pressures and what members describe as a persistent lack of recognition for the essential role they perform, feeling they are the “forgotten service.”'

The union has written to Policy and Resources (as employer) setting out its case, and a meeting between the two may take place today (31 July).

Unite told Island FM that is has concerns over the recruitment of qualified prison officer agency workers who would be paid an enhanced rate:

"Some serving prison officers have been contacted by a recruitment agency inviting them to apply for fixed-term roles at Guernsey Prison, offering enhanced pay and benefits that are unavailable to the experienced officers already doing the job.

"This sends entirely the wrong message to a workforce that has remained loyal to the service during some of its most challenging years."

The States' director of operations, Justice & Regulation, Dave Le Ray counters this:

"The use of temporary resources is being explored to help support existing teams at the prison."

He says these would be short term contracts to cover gaps in staffing, and while these posts may be paid a higher hourly rate, that does not cover full time staff benefits like a pension, paid holiday, study and sick leave.

Mr Le Ray stresses that no temporary staff have been employed to date and the idea is at an early stage.

He says it is being done because:

"Existing staff have gone ‘above and beyond’ in recent weeks, working overtime and additional hours to help cover shifts and this is intended to help ease the pressure."