Amid a staffing crisis, the United Kingdom has turned to international recruitment for prison officers, including many from Nigeria.
For the first time, the UK prison service is sponsoring skilled worker visas, following a 2023 policy change that added prison officers to the list of eligible professions.
While the initiative has brought in approximately 250 recruits, many, particularly Nigerians, face significant housing challenges, The Punch reported.
Some have resorted to sleeping in cars or camping near prisons to cut costs.
Where is the accommodation?
The President of the Prison Officers Association (POA), Mark Fairhurst, shared stories highlighting the struggles of new recruits.
“We have got problems with people who turn up at the gates with cases in tow and with their families saying to the staff: ‘Where is the accommodation?’”
One Nigerian recruit reportedly commuted 70 miles daily from Huddersfield to Nottingham before deciding it was more economical to sleep in his car outside the prison, New Telegraph reported.
At another location, some officers set up a makeshift camp in a wooded area near their workplace.
Nigerians dominate international applications
In 2023, thousands of applicants, many from Africa, expressed interest in UK prison jobs.
Tom Wheatley, President of the Prison Governors Association, noted the surge was largely driven by word-of-mouth within the Nigerian expat community.
“It’s turned into an approach that has been promoted online by the expat Nigerian community,” Wheatley explained.
However, he also pointed to challenges like language barriers and difficulties integrating recruits into rural areas.
Criticism of virtual hiring processes
Fairhurst has called for a return to in-person interviews, arguing that six weeks of training is inadequate for recruits to handle complex prison environments.
“Six weeks of training is not enough for recruits to manage prisoners effectively,” Fairhurst stated, urging reforms to the recruitment process.
UK prison service defends its standards
“All staff – regardless of nationality – undergo robust assessments and training before they work in prisons. Our strengthened vetting process roots out those who fall below our high standards,” the spokesperson said.
Despite these assurances, the challenges faced by international recruits highlight the need for improved support systems as the UK continues to address its staffing shortages.
Humanitarian aid worker slams UK
Reacting to this development, a humanitarian, Chika Ojukwu, who spoke to Legit.ng on Saturday, January 18, said:
“While it’s commendable that Nigerians are seizing opportunities abroad, the lack of proper accommodation and support for them is a serious concern.
“It’s essential for the UK government to ensure that these workers, who are contributing to a crucial sector, are provided with basic needs such as housing.”