Prison officers call for segregation

The Prison Officers Association (POA) president today called for segregation of inmates to tackle violence in prisons.

Speaking at the POA annual conference in Kilkenny today, Jim Mitchell warned that control of prisons would be lost if the gangs and individuals he said controlled aspects of prison life were not tackled.

“We urgently need segregation of violent prisoners in order to limit their influence within prisons. This segregation must not be in name only as happens now in Cloverhill, but with dedicated facilities, which totally restrict the dangerous offenders.”

Mr Mitchell said management had failed to recognise violence and threats of violence were taking place, blaming a “deeply ingrained denial mentality” in some prisons.

"Prison management must recognise that when violent people are sent to prison - there is rarely a 'road to Damascus' transformation.

“This is not rocket science - all of us know who the dangerous people are - so let's grasp the nettle and do something about it," he added.