The Northern Prison Officers' Association has said the award of a special medal to its members does not go far enough to recognise their work.
The Northern Secretary announced that Queen Elizabeth had granted approval in principle for the award of the medal yesterday.
Mr Finlay Spratt, the association's president, said the medal, although welcome, was "long overdue".
"There are many other things we need," he said, adding that his association would be making proposals to Mr Peter Mandelson for a prison service trust.
Mr Spratt said one of the areas where help was needed was in counselling officers and the families of those who had been murdered.
Mr Mandelson said the medal was a well-deserved recognition of the professionalism, bravery and commitment of prison staff over 30 years serving in a difficult and often dangerous conflict. Since 1976, 29 prison staff have been murdered by paramilitaries in the North.
Details of the medal, to be known as the Northern Ireland Prison Service medal, are expected to be announced soon in the form of a royal warrant.
It is expected the medal will be awarded to all present and former staff who have served in Northern Ireland for at least five years.