Contingency plans over 'prison strike'

Officers want more compensation for security

Prison authorities are understood to have contingency plans in place after rumours that officers may not turn up for work on Wednesday.

A Prison Service spokesman said it was unaware of rumours that officers may turn up and then go off sick.

It has been claimed the action could be linked to ongoing prison officers protests over alleged security breaches by the IRA.

The spokesman said the service had not been informed of any planned industrial action.

In recent weeks, the staff at Maghaberry and Magilligan prisons and the Young Offenders' Centre at Hydebank have staged one-hour protests.

The government had better waken up to the reality that if they don't address this issue quickly and expeditiously prison officers will bring the Prison Service to a complete and utter halt

Ian Paisley Junior
DUP

The Democratic Unionist Party's Ian Paisley Junior said he had already warned the secretary of state about the consequences of mass sick leave in the prisons.

"It is a potential security disaster," he said.

"The government had better waken up to the reality that if they don't address this issue quickly and expeditiously prison officers will bring the Prison Service to a complete and utter halt."

If large numbers of staff did phone in sick on Wednesday, it would be likely to be affect the shift changeover between 0730 and 0800 GMT.

A spokesman for the Prison Officers' Association described plans for a sickness-strike as "speculation".

'Telephone numbers'

Last week, the association said prison officers were considering industrial action if they did not get more compensation for increasing security at their homes.

It follows a police investigation into IRA intelligence gathering, in which the personal details of officers were found on a laptop computer.

A special police unit was set up to warn those whose names appeared on the list seized.

The Prison Officers' Association said they feared 2,000 names, addresses and telephone numbers of serving officers may be on the list.

Finlay Spratt: "The prison officers could be in debt into old age"

Association chairman Finlay Spratt said prison officers want prison management and the government to properly compensate officers forced to move home to protect themselves.

He said they had already stepped up action by refusing to work voluntary extra hours.

'Co-operation'

In a statement the Northern Ireland Prison Service said the prison officers' case "would only be progressed with the good will and cooperation of all parties".

The Prison Service said senior management were "keen to resume discussions with the Prison Officer's Association".

Last week, several hundred officers held protest demonstrations outside prisons in the province.

The government has a number of programmes in place, including the Assisted Home Removal Scheme, to help with the costs of moving those in Northern Ireland under threat.

A second programme for those wishing to remain in their present home meets the costs of installing security measures.