Over 2500 Prison Officers, Mostly Nigerians Free From Deportation As UK Extends Visas To Avert Prison Collapse

Foreign nationals, majority of them Nigerians, working as prison officers in the United Kingdom have have been spared of deportation as the British Government has granted them a temporary exemption from new visa rules, following warnings some jails were facing a staffing crisis.

Prisons have increasingly been relying on overseas recruits, particularly from Nigeria and Ghana, according to report by the British Broadcasting Service (BBC).

The BBC reports that organizations representing officers had warned jails faced losing thousands of staff, after the government increased the minimum salary requirement for a skilled worker visa.

The Ministry of Justice said the move would “ensure jails can continue to run safely with the right level of experienced staff”.

Under changes introduced in July as part of efforts to reduce migration, individuals must earn at least £41,700 to obtain a skilled worker visa, up from £38,700.

The starting salary for a prison officer is generally below this amount, particularly outside London.

The Prison Officers Association (POA) said the salary threshold changes meant jails stood to lose more than 2,500 overseas recruits, which it said would have had “a catastrophic effect on prison stability”.

Meanwhile, chief inspector of prisons Charlie Taylor warned earlier this year that many jails were heavily dependent on prison officers recruited from West Africa.

He said many were in danger of not having their visas renewed, which would have a “devastating effect” on prisons.

The exemption only applies to applicants already in the country and lasts until the end of 2026, with a lower salary threshold of £33,400 in place until 31 December 2027.

The POA welcomed the new exemption, calling it a victory for “common sense”.

The trade union’s general secretary Steve Gillan said: “It might not be perfect, but it will mean the prison service hopefully can remain stable.”

The association’s national chairman Mark Fairhurst added: “Our members can now go about their daily lives without the threat of removal from the country.”