Prison averaging 20 staff off sick each day

The Midlands Prison has a very high rate of staff absences with an average of 20 people on sick leave each day, the Prisons Inspector said today.

In a report on the Co Laois jail, which opened in November 2000, Mr Justice Dermot Kinlen said there were six people on continuous leave for more than six months and 68 members of the 396-strong staff were seeking a transfer.