Key facts
- HMP Millsike, a private prison near York, is advertising for custody officers on flexible, task-based contracts.
- Mitie, the prison operator, has proposed employing staff on zero-hours contracts, a move currently under consideration by the Prison Service.
- The POA, the prison officers' union, has condemned the move, calling it an attempt to introduce casualised labour.
- The prison has approximately 350 empty cells due to a shortfall of staff.
- Mitie stated that Sangfroid Group, which recruits staff for the roles, is responsible for the terms and conditions of employment.
Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, is facing calls to intervene over plans by HMP Millsike, a privately run prison near York, to recruit custody officers on flexible, task-based contracts, which critics argue are akin to zero-hours contracts.
The prison, operated by Mitie, has advertised for prisoner escort roles at £25 per hour, with the company submitting a proposal to the Prison Service to employ staff on zero-hours contracts, which is currently under consideration.
The POA, the prison officers' union, has strongly opposed the move, stating that it undermines workers' rights, security, and stability within the prison system. The union argues that this is an attempt to introduce casualised labour into a highly pressured environment.
Sources indicate that HMP Millsike has approximately 350 empty cells due to a significant shortfall in staff. The POA has called on the prime minister to intervene, aligning with government pledges to curb zero-hours contracts.
Mick Pimblett, deputy general secretary of the POA, criticized the move, stating that Mitie is unable to fulfill its contractual obligations due to insufficient staffing and is attempting to introduce casualised labour. He described the treatment of prison officers as disgraceful.
HMP Millsike, which began taking prisoners in March 2025, has faced criticism since its opening, with a recent report expressing concerns over high levels of violence and inconsistent gate security.
Mitie stated that it does not offer "zero-hours" contracts, clarifying that Sangfroid Group provides "contingent workers" and is responsible for their terms and conditions. A Mitie spokesperson emphasized that the prison is operating in line with ramp-up plans and is focused on maintaining a safe environment.
A government spokesperson assured that prison officer contracts will always be compliant with employment law and highlighted efforts to address the prison capacity crisis inherited by the current administration.