Prison officers at Britain's three high-security psychiatric hospitals will strike over pay, their union announced yesterday.

Members of the Prison Officers' Association (POA) at Ashworth, Broadmoor and Rampton will strike on November 24 over the government's refusal to accept a recommendation from the NHS independent pay review body of a 1 per cent pay rise.

Staff voted 78 per cent in favour of strike action, which will run from 7am to 11am. Further action in December is being considered.

It follows release of research by academics into the well-being of prison officers and nurses in psychiatric secure hospitals which revealed "shocking" levels of stress, according to the POA.

University of Bedfordshire Professor Gail Kinman's research revealed that 70 per cent of staff regretted their choice of job and that 60 per cent were considering leaving.

"The POA membership within the high security psychiatric hospitals are once again to take strike action in pursuit of the coalition government's interference with the recommendations of the NHS pay review body," said POA general secretary Steve Gillan.

"Our members are outraged that they are continuing to be treated in this way particularly taking into consideration the very dangerous and stressful work which they carry out on behalf of society.

"As before, the POA will be working to ensure that safe staffing levels and security arrangements are in place at the affected work areas in order that patients, staff and the public are properly protected."