Resolution reached in prison screening dispute

The dispute that led to two work stoppages by prison officers in December has been resolved.

The row centred on the planned introduction of new security screening areas in prisons.

The Prison Officers' Association was unhappy that its members were required to undergo the screening before they clocked in for work and were therefore not getting paid for the time.

Prison Officers will clock-in for payment purposes before and adjacent to the security screen measures as put forward by Prison Service Management.

Once clocking-in has taken place, there will be no facility available to circumvent the security arrangements whatsoever - officers will proceed immediately through the security screening process.

After the security screening measures have taken place, a further recording will be introduced in order to confirm compliance with the security measures.