Prison Jobs: NiDCOM Reveals Why Many Nigerian Workers Are Homeless in the UK

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has blamed inadequate pre-travel planning for the difficult situation faced by Nigerian workers hired by the United Kingdom’s prison service, many of whom have been forced to sleep in their cars.

A report by The Telegraph revealed that certain Nigerian and other international workers encountered major accommodation challenges upon arriving in the UK to address staffing shortages within the prison system. These individuals, who entered under skilled worker visas, found themselves without housing when they arrived, with some resorting to sleeping in vehicles or even forests on their first night.

Mark Fairhurst, the President of the Prison Officers Association, recognized the difficulties. He clarified that some new recruits had mistakenly assumed that housing was included in their employment package.

“We’ve encountered issues with individuals arriving at the gates, along with their families and luggage, inquiring about accommodation,” he stated. He shared examples such as a worker who commuted 70 miles each day between Huddersfield and Nottingham but had to sleep in his car. Another new recruit resorted to camping in a wooded area opposite the prison after realizing no housing was available.

After amending its visa regulations in October 2023 to classify prison officers under the skilled worker category, the UK initiated a recruitment campaign. This initiative enabled up to 250 foreign nationals to join the prison service after successfully passing interviews and vetting processes. Tom Wheatley, President of the Prison Governors Association, mentioned that online word-of-mouth played a significant role in attracting many applicants, especially within the Nigerian expatriate community.

In response to the situation, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NiDCOM’s Director of Media, Public Relations, and Protocols emphasized the importance of thorough preparation before traveling internationally. He encouraged Nigerians to prioritize arranging accommodations in advance to prevent any difficulties.

“If you’re planning to travel overseas, it’s crucial to ensure that your trip is legitimate and everything necessary for a comfortable stay is arranged. No one should find themselves sleeping on the streets or in their car while traveling; this typically happens when proper guidelines aren’t followed,” Balogun stated.