Strike looms over prison transfers

HUNDREDS of prison officers and inmates will be transferred within weeks under plans announced by the Government yesterday.

The decision to proceed with the closure of two facilities, the transfer of a further two jails out of the Prison Service and the privatisation of escorts could lead to a strike by staff.

Justice Minister Michael McDowell said the overhaul of the service cannot be put off without creating the real possibility of a crisis. Individual prisons have also been handed reduced overtime budgets for the year, while other transfers and recruitment will be halted.