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Prison Officers Vocational Branch (POVB)

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The POVB has a proud history of union struggle and activism. The POVB has close to 100% membership and has unique vocational structures. The POVB has strong democratic structures within their rules that provide for annual sub-branch elections and biennial elections for the State Executive. The State Executive and Sub-Branch Chairs form the POVB Management Committee.

 

Achievements: 

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Under the Rank & File's leadership, the PSA and POVB have:

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• Won mandatory testing.

• Successfully campaigned for Junee and Parklea correctional centres to become publicly-run.

• Abolished the private contract at John Morony Correctional Centre.

• Advocated for Officer A and supported him through a horrific experience, and won his ex-gratia payment.

• Continued to oppose needle exchange programs in correctional centres.

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The Rank & File team ensures that every day our union is fighting for members who run our prisons and keep NSW safe.

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Six of the Rank & File team's candidates in the 2025 PSA election are POVB members. Unlike our opponents in this election, the Rank & File team is focused on the issues that directly affect you - your wages, your conditions and your safety at work. 

 

Autonomy

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In 2018 the newly elected Rank and File leadership of the PSA introduced by-laws to the PSA rules providing the POVB Management Committee with additional resources and direct responsibility for all industrial action taken by its members. The POVB now operate autonomously.

 

Resources

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​The POVB State Executive have access to funds of equal amount to those collected from its membership, to allow for the legal representation of its members in industrial matters and the conducting of campaigns that have been endorsed by the Management Committee of the POVB.

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The POVB have unhindered access to the POVB Legal Fund to provide for the legal representation and advancement of its members consistent with the rules of the fund.

 

The POVB Chair has been provided with a mobile phone, laptop/tablet, vehicle, office and administrative support. The Chair has been seconded to the PSA for their elected term. The State Executive of the POVB has been provided with mobile phones and or reasonable expenses and assistance to conduct their duties. The POVB has been provided with a full time Industrial Officer and Organiser at all times and has seconded additional resources when required.

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Legal Assistance for Departmental Matters (Non-Criminal)

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​In the event a Prison Officer is subject to Departmental Charges or Allegations, he or she shall continue to receive assistance in formulating and drafting their response from a qualified legal practitioner employed by or retained by the PSA or Prison Officer Division of the PSA.

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Critical Incidents

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​In the event that any Prison Officer is involved in a Critical Incident that may lead to a Coronial Inquiry members shall have permanent 24 hour access to an Organiser who shall attend the scene of the incident as soon as possible to provide assistance. The Organiser attending the Critical Incident shall ensure that effected members are not interviewed either departmentally or criminally

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