More probation staff needed for plan, says union

THE union representing members of the Probation Service has said more staff would be needed to cater for the Government’s plan for greater use of community sanctions for petty criminals.

The plan, outlined by Justice Minister Dermot Ahern, would see a greater push towards community service sanctions as a way of easing overcrowding in prisons.

It follows last week’s near riot at Mountjoy in which three prison officers were injured and revelations about the number of on the run prisoners.