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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Helen Pidd and Rajeev Syal

Criminal gangs in UK sending recruits to train as prison officers, union warns

Prison office and inmate in silhouette
Low pay has been cited by the POA as a key reason behind the rise in corruption. Composite: Guardian Design/Alamy

Organised crime groups are sending associates to train as prison officers with the “sole purpose” of smuggling drugs and phones into jail, the Prison Officers’ Association has warned.

The POA, the union representing prison workers, blamed low pay and said online interviews were also contributing to the prison service “hiring the wrong people”.

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