Prison strike postponed

Locking up at Maghaberry prison

Threatened industrial action by prison officers in Northern Ireland has been postponed to allow talks with the government, the BBC has learned.

Security Minister Jane Kennedy is to meet with representatives of the Prison Officers' Association later this week.

Prison officers had planned to take strike action on Wednesday over demands for better security arrangements following a series of attacks on their homes.

Last week, in protest at what they see as a lack of proper security at their homes, officers said they would no longer work any overtime.

There has been almost one attack a week on the homes of prison officers during the past year.

The meeting is due to take place on Thursday and sources have told the BBC that industrial action by prison officers will not take place before then.

Prison Service Management will also be involved in the discussions.

They are doing a difficult job on behalf of society and they deserve some sort of protection Finlay Spratt Prison Officers' Association

POA spokesman Finlay Spratt said their members were demanding better security arrangements.

"I am not naive to believe that you can give us 100% security because we live in the community," he said.

"But at least you could provide reasonable measures of security.

"Up until this point in time that hasn't happened in respect of prison officers.

"Afterall, they are doing a difficult job on behalf of society and they deserve some sort of protection."

The government has already committed to spending nearly £30m on security.

Earlier on Tuesday, the government warned the Prison Officers' Association it could take legal action in the event of any strike.

Jane Kennedy will meet with the POA on Thursday

A letter from Mrs Kennedy warning of the implications of strike action has been withdrawn pending Thursday's talks.

The POA has been demanding better security arrangements for its members.

Under the criminal justice act, it is against the law for prison officers to take industrial action.

Meanwhile, prison officers in England, Scotland and Wales, have said they are ready to weigh in behind their colleagues in Northern Ireland if officers who take industrial action are disciplined.

The national chairman of the POA, Colin Moses, said he received a letter from the Prison Service warning him and his members not to get involved.

He added the letter requested confirmation in writing by Tuesday that they would not.

There are 34,000 prison officers working at 174 prisons across the rest of the UK.

In September, a review of safety at Maghaberry Prison recommended separating republican and loyalist prisoners.

The move is being introduced in the wake of violent clashes between rival groups in the jail and in the face of a "dirty protest" by a group of dissident republicans.

Maghaberry Prison houses male and female prisoners, whether they are convicted or on remand.