Prison officers ‘clinging to archaic practices’

PRISON officers were yesterday accused of clinging to archaic work practices, as bosses responded to claims that plans to slash the multi-million euro overtime bill were “worthless”.

Officers have been given a three-month deadline to agree a package to effectively end overtime, but they have warned of strike chaos if the Prison Service and the Government force through the changes.

Head of the Irish Prison Service, Sean Aylward, gave as an example the refusal by officers to use a 20-seater van that can ferry more prisoners with less guards.