Police called in to staff Derry jail after prison officers walk out

POLICE were called into the North’s Magilligan Prison yesterday after the majority of prison officers walked out.

The Northern Ireland Prison Service said it was over a dispute about a scheduled routine meeting of the prison service management board, which was due to be held in the prison last night.

A Prison Officers’ Association branch meeting yesterday passed a motion saying officers would withdraw from their posts for an emergency meeting if any members of the management board set foot in the jail.

Finlay Spratt, chairman of the POA, said their ultimatum was followed by a letter to officers from the governor of the County Derry jail saying they would not be paid for today if they did not carry out their duties.

“They withdrew to the mess because they hate the sight of the management board. They had agreed to unlock the prisoners, feed them and provide enough staff for medical and fire watch cover. But the governor said if they did not all work normally they would not be paid, so they have gone home,” he said.

The prison service said about 90% of the officers had “deserted their posts” and all visits to the jail were cancelled for the day.

Peter Russell, director general of the Northern Ireland prison service, criticised the officers’ action.

“This behaviour is disgraceful. No matter what the point of the dispute there can be no excuse for such dereliction of duty,” he said.

He said prison officers had a duty towards peopleof care to persons in their charge, which they were neglecting.

“The POA seems to believe that they run the service. I want them to be clear they do not.

“Modern industrial relations should be conducted through discussion and negotiation not ultimatums and coercion.”

Mr Spratt accused Mr Russell of being “arrogant and ignorant” towards his members and warned: “He will never break the will of the Northern Ireland Prison Service. The terrorists have tried for 35 years and failed, he won’t manage it.”

It is the latest dispute in the prison service.

Last Friday, officers walked out of the top security Maghaberry Prison in Co Antrim, forcing police to take over their duties, as part of their continuing dispute with the British Government about the provision of security measures at their homes after a spate of terrorist attacks.