PRISON officers are campaigning to reduce the profession’s retirement age, warning that it is unfair to expect staff to work in overcrowded, dangerous prisons into their late sixties.

The Prison Officers’ Association (POA) says its members face significant physical, mental and operational demands but lack the same pension protections as other uniformed services. 

Currently, police officers, firefighters and members of the armed forces can retire at 60. 

But prison officers have been “overlooked,” the union says, with their pension age tied to the state retirement age, which is set to rise to 67 between 2026 and 2028 and to 68 by 2044.

A POA poll found that 86 per cent of prison officers are worried that they may have to leave their job before retirement age due to its physical or mental health challenges. 

Ninety two per cent reported that the main obstacles to them working into their late sixties include physical and mental health problems, increasing violence, risks to personal safety, stress and pressure.

Some 91 per cent said that having to work until the age of 68 was “unfair” when members of other uniformed services retire earlier.

POA general secretary Steve Gillan said: “Asking prison officers to work in an overcrowded, understaffed and increasingly violent prison system until they are 68 is completely unacceptable. It is unjust and it is a major cause of stress amongst prison officers.

“The POA’s ‘68 Is Too Late’ campaign is not calling for special treatment, we are seeking practical solutions — not enhanced payments but rule changes or a retained right that would allow prison officers who cannot work until state retirement age to retire with dignity and be able to access their existing pension without reductions.”

The government was contacted for comment.