Prison officers' dispute resolved

A dispute over the location of clocking-in machines in Irish prisons was resolved today.

A dispute over the location of clocking-in machines in Irish prisons was resolved today.

Prison officers and management backed an independent ruling that staff would record their attendance for work after going through a security search.

Around 3,000 prison officers around the country staged one-hour work stoppages in December against plans to place the instruments after staff security check areas.

The Irish Prison Service (IPS) maintained the rigorous searching regime for all visitors, including staff, was needed to prevent the smuggling of contraband - including drugs and mobile phones - into prisons.

READ MORE

But the Prison Officers' Association (POA) argued the move extended officers' working day, with officers being searched on their own time before registering for duty.

Last week prison management and the POA made submissions to the civil servant adjudicator.

Eugene Dennehy, deputy general secretary of the POA, said the organisation backed any plans that would enhance the safety of its members. Brian Purcell, director general of the Irish Prison Service, said the decision has satisfied the organisation's concerns.

PA