Prison officers question how €15m can be saved

THE Prison Officers Association has questioned how €15 million can be saved through cuts in manning hours in the prison services when its members are already stretched.

Colm McCarthy’s group admitted that given the numbers leaving the prison service and the public service – as well as increasing crime rates – there was “limited scope at present” for staffing reductions in the prisons.

“However, there is a need to further overhaul the working practices within the Prison Service in relation to manning levels, shift details, etc. It is the group’s view that with tighter control of prison services and reforms of operational procedures an annual saving of €15m is achievable on the pay provision and allowances for the service.”