Lack of screening ‘offers criminals chance to infiltrate prison service’

THE lack of background checks could allow criminals to infiltrate the prison service, officers have warned.

Last month, four prison officers were arrested as part of a garda operation to break a drug-smuggling ring in two of the country’s main prisons. They were suspected of having links with a criminal family based in the Midlands

The Prison Officers Association said there was no greater market for drugs than in a prison.