Hundreds of foreign Prison Officers across England and Wales could lose their jobs and be forced to return home following a change in UK visa rules introduced by the Labour government.
More than 1,000 overseas staff, primarily from African countries, have been employed on skilled worker visas sponsored by prisons. These visas allowed them to live and work in the UK, supporting critical prison operations.
Since a rule change in July, overseas Prison Officers whose contracts are up for renewal are no longer eligible for visas unless their pay meets the £41,700 threshold. Many prison officers currently earn around £33,000, leaving them at risk of losing their jobs. The changes follow Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s pledge to reduce net migration to the UK.
The Prison Officers’ Association (POA) and prison governors have warned the policy could severely impact staffing and morale. POA national chair Mark Fairhurst described the change as rushed and politically motivated, claiming it will make prisons harder to manage and force experienced officers out of the country.
The Prison Governors’ Association also highlighted the issue, noting that more than 80% of recent prison officer applicants come from overseas, especially African nations. Recruiting and training each officer costs around £10,000, meaning the visa changes could result in the loss of highly skilled personnel.
Overseas recruitment has become crucial because the UK prison service struggles to attract enough domestic candidates. In 2024, over 700 Nigerians were recruited to work in UK prisons, accounting for 12% of all public-sector hires, with Ghana being the next largest source country.
The July 22 rule change mandates that skilled worker applicants must earn £41,700 to qualify for a visa, leaving most current prison officers at risk. The POA has formally requested an exemption for prison officer roles but has not received support from the government or HM Prison and Probation Service.
Cases of officers affected are already emerging. One Nigerian-born officer at HMP Liverpool, who has lived in the UK with his family for three years, had his visa renewal refused despite applying before the new rules came into effect. With only two months remaining on his visa, he faces the prospect of returning to Nigeria with his wife and daughter.
The Ministry of Justice has been approached for comment on the impact of the visa changes on prison staffing and individual officers.
