What has actually been published on pay, the 2027/28 round, workforce figures and the estate, with a link to where we read it. We summarise neutrally, say who said what, and mark anything reported but unconfirmed. We link out; we do not copy. The live status of the pay round is on the pay rise tracker.
Sentencing Act early-release changes start in stages from 1 October
The Prison Reform Trust's guide (updated September 2026) says the new early-release model starts on 1 October 2026 for the shortest sentences, with later tranches from 13 October and 10 November and through to June 2027, after exclusions announced on 4 and 30 August. It warns further changes or delays cannot be ruled out. No official statement on what it means for prison staffing or pay has been found.
POA says it raised pay and the strike ban with the Prime Minister and ministers
The POA General Secretary's circular says he raised pay and the Section 127 strike ban with the Prime Minister on 7 September and with the Justice Secretary and Prisons Minister on 8 September, proposed without-prejudice talks, and planned a right-to-strike fringe at Labour Party Conference on 28 September. This is the union's own account; we have not found a Government statement. Prison officers in England and Wales cannot lawfully take industrial action.
Workforce figures: 22,001 FTE prison officers, 701 fewer than a year earlier
HMPPS's quarterly workforce statistics to 30 June 2026 show 22,001 full-time-equivalent Band 3 to 5 officers, down 701 on the year, with 2,116 officer appointments and 2,095 officer leavers in the 12 months. The officer resignation rate was 5.6%, down 0.4 percentage points. Band 2 operational support staff rose by 242 to 5,661 FTE.
Ministry of Justice starts the 2027/28 prison pay round
The Minister wrote to the PSPRB Chair on 15 July 2026 to commence the 2027/28 round. Pay must be funded within departmental budgets with no additional funding. The Ministry says it will aim to meet PSPRB deadlines, bring the evidence process forward and explore joint evidence with unions; the Review Body is asked to report at the earliest point it can. We have found no published timetable.
2026/27 award reported to be paid in June salaries, backdated to 1 April
The POA's April circular quotes HMPPS as saying that, because of payroll provider capacity, it intended to implement the 2026/27 award in June salaries with arrears back to 1 April. We have not found an HMPPS page confirming the payment was made, so treat it as reported and check your own payslips.
Northern Ireland: PSPRB responds to the 2026/27 activation letter
The PSPRB responded to the Northern Ireland Justice Minister's activation letter for the 2026/27 pay round. In Northern Ireland the Government decides when to respond to and publish the report. We have not found the outcome of the 2026/27 Northern Ireland round.
Market supplements: first annual review applied from 1 April 2026
The PSPRB report records the Minister's first review of Band 3 market supplements: Aylesbury was downgraded and supplements at Grendon, Standford Hill and Huntercombe are being eroded by about £500 a year, offset by the pay award. HMPPS's pay page (checked 3 October 2026) lists 18 prisons at £1,500 to £3,500 and says those that currently qualify keep their status until at least March 2027.
PSPRB 25th Report published and accepted: 3.5% for 2026/27
The Pay Review Body recommended at least 3.5% for operational prison staff in England and Wales from 1 April 2026, with Payment Plus rising to £23 an hour and London differentials up 3.5%. The Government accepted all 12 recommendations; the POA called the figure inadequate and had asked for 6.3%.
Independent pay comparator review published alongside the PSPRB report
GOV.UK lists independent research on prison pay comparability, published with the report. We have not read its contents, so we make no claim about its findings. We link it so you can read it yourself.
Skilled Worker visa exemption for prison officers noted in PSPRB report
The Minister's letter to the Review Body, reproduced in the report's Appendix C, says sponsorship of prison officers is available for new and switching applications until 31 December 2026, with extensions allowed until 31 December 2027. The PSPRB also said recruitment relies on overseas applicants and changes to Skilled Worker rules.
POA asks the Justice Secretary to review the prison officer strike ban
A POA circular says the European Committee of Social Rights found the UK in breach of the European Social Charter over the Section 127 ban (conclusions published at the end of January 2026) and that the General Secretary wrote asking for a review, a credible dispute mechanism and mediation. This is the union's account of the finding and the letter.
The Northern Ireland Justice Minister published the activation letter asking the PSPRB to run the 2026/27 pay round for the Northern Ireland Prison Service.
The Prison Reform Trust reported Royal Assent for the Sentencing Act 2026 on 22 January 2026, with some provisions in force from March and the early-release changes to follow once commenced.
Items are added when we find a primary or reputable source and have opened it. Official publications are marked "Source confirmed". Union circulars and similar are marked "Reported" because they are one side's account. We have not found separate pensions or conduct news in this scan, so those topics are empty rather than padded. Nothing here is legal or financial advice. Independent: not affiliated with HMPPS, the Ministry of Justice, the POA or any union.