Representing the Prison Governors of the United Kingdom
The Prison Governors Association (PGA) exists to represent the interests of its membership, and to promote and support continuous improvement within the criminal justice system.).
We have a number of aims which can be read in our manifesto.
The PGA represenst operational and senior operational managers in the National Offender Management Service (NOMS), Senior Civil Servants with a background in operational prison management, Governors, Deputy Governors and other governor grades in public and private sector prisons in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
History of the Prison Governors Association
The first representative body for Prison Governors was the “Superior Officers’ Representative Board” set up in May 1920 under Captain R. H D’Aeth, Governor of Parkhurst.
More recently the Prison Governors Association (PGA) was formed in October 1987 to represent the interests of the Senior Prison Service grades amalgamated under the Fresh Start changes. The PGA thus drew on both the Governor and Chief Officer traditions.
The Association was recognised by the Home Secretary in March 1988 and by the Treasury in May 1988. Registered as a Trade Union under the Trade Union and Labour Relations Acts, it was granted a certificate of independence in the summer of 1988.
In 1989, Northern Ireland Prison Governors joined the PGA, and the Northern Ireland Office quickly recognised the Association as the representative body for Governors in Northern Ireland.
In 2003, Prison Governors in Scotland joined the PGA. We are pleased to announce that Scotland PGA are now recognised by the Scottish Prison Service but acknowledge that there is still some work to do.
The Retired Prison Governors Association also flourishes. A significant number of members who remain active in fields allied to the Prison Service – these include working with prison charities and prison reform groups, serving on the Parole Board and working for overseas governments.
24 retired Prison Governors Association members have been awarded distinguished life membership for their services to the association: Mr John Attard; Mr Jim Blakey; Mr Terry Bone CBE; Ms Lynne Bowles; Mr Harry Brett; Mr Charles Bushell; Mr John Dovell; Mr Bob Duncan; Mr Dave Hoskins; Mr Paul Laxton; Mr Mike Lewis, Mr Pat Maguire; Mr Peter McLean; Mr Eoin McLennan Murray; Mr Bob Mullen; Mr Graham Mumby-Croft; Mr Mike Newell, OBE; Mr Brendan O’Friel; Mr David Roddan; Mr Chris Scott OBE; Mr David Simons; the late Gordon Lakes, CB MC; the late Paddy Scriven OBE; and posthumously awarded to Mr Duncan Scales.