McDowell unwilling to renegotiate prison overtime proposals

The Department of Justice has reportedly reacted cautiously to a set of proposals put forward by the Prison Officers' Association yesterday in an effort to resolve their long-running overtime dispute.

The POA has already rejected an offer from the Government that would see its members receiving a wage rise and a one-off payment in return for working a set level of overtime hours.

Justice Minister Michael McDowell has responded to the rejection by vowing to close two prisons, privatise two others and privatise the prison escort service.

In an effort to resolve the situation, the POA yesterday suggested changes to the minister's proposals that would allow some workers to opt out of the overtime deal.

However, reports this morning said the Department of Justice had said the proposals required “careful scrutiny”, but had also indicated that Mr McDowell was not willing to renegotiate the proposals.

The minister said he planned to publish legislation today paving the way for the privatisation of prison escorts.