Soaring attacks cost €2m in compo

A RECORD 100 serious assaults were reported by prison officers last year and over €2m was paid out in compensation, it emerged yesterday.

An average of nearly 30,000 has been paid out by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board over the last five years to officers who suffered injuries inside Ireland’s jails.

A leading member of the Prison Officers’ Association said the level of violence in prisons mirrors the increasing public order problems on the outside.

Prison officers received severe beatings and were bitten and attacked with syringes, according to the POA.

There was a spate of incidents where the tops of needles were stuck to the underside of door handles, one delegate at the POA conference revealed.

Apart from the physical injury, the officers affected also had to be tested for HIV and hepatitis.

Figures show there were 101 cases lodged last year. Eight were awarded money, one was refused and 92 are pending.

While some claims are dealt with in months, some have dragged on for years, including a number lodged in 1998.

Over €5m has been paid out to more than 200 officers since 1998.

“The level of increase in violent incidents against our members is of serious concern to the association,” POA president Gabriel Keaveney said.

“The POA can see a link between the increasing levels of violence on our streets and an increased incidence of violence from these same people while in prison.”

Mr Keaveney said he was not convinced there was a significant recognition of the risks involved or a realistic attempt by management to address these issues.

The issue of attacks in prisons is partly to blame for the high rate of sick leave among officers, the POA believe.

Mr Keaveney called for an in-depth survey to be carried out to establish the causes of sick leave.