Jail strike dispute 'unresolved'

Staff at HMP Liverpool staged two days of unofficial strike action

Talks aimed at solving a dispute which led to an unofficial walkout at HMP Liverpool have ended without a resolution.

Hundreds of prison officers returned to work at Walton Prison last week after a strike over claims of bullying by senior managers.

Prison officers in Warrington, Dorset and Lancashire also joined the strike.

The Prison Officers Association (POA) held talks with the National Offenders Management Service (NOMS) on Monday.

Brian Caton, general secretary of the POA, said they were seeking the appointment of an independent person to look into claims staff were "bullied and harassed" at Walton.

We want an independent person to look at it - I don't think that's too much to ask Brian Caton, POA general secretary

But after hours of talks, he said: "I have to say I'm disappointed.

"There didn't seem to be any appetite from the National Offenders Management Service (NOMS) board for an inquiry.

"We want an independent person to look at it - I don't think that's too much to ask.

"If we've [prison officers] got failings obviously those will be identified and if indeed the governor has got failings that will be identified as well."

Mr Caton said that NOMS officials had committed to writing to the union with a decision on the issue.

A NOMS spokesman said: "At the Prison Officers' Association's request, a meeting was held on Monday 23 November with senior managers of the National Offender Management Service (NOMS).

"The POA raised a number of detailed issues, which NOMS will consider carefully and respond to in writing."

The Prison Service has previously said the bullying allegations are being investigated under the NOMS' code of conduct.