Prison officers' clocking-in dispute resolved

A dispute over the location of clocking-in machines in Irish prisons was resolved today.

Prison officers and management backed an independent ruling that staff would record their attendance for work after going through a security search.

Around 3,000 prison officers around the country staged one-hour work stoppages in December against plans to place the instruments after staff security check areas.

The Irish Prison Service (IPS) maintained the rigorous searching regime for all visitors, including staff, was needed to prevent the smuggling of contraband - including drugs and mobile phones – into prisons.

But the Prison Officers’ Association (POA) argued the move extended their working day, with officers being searched on their own time before registering for duty.

Last week prison management and the POA made submissions to the civil servant adjudicator.

Eugene Dennehy, deputy general secretary of the POA said the organisation backed any plans that would enhance the safety of its members.

“This welcome decision from the adjudicator essentially affirms the POA stance on this issue – an issue, which should never have led to a dispute,” he said.

“The Prison Officers Association will now seek a meeting with management to discuss the roll-out of the new security measures.”

Brian Purcell, director general of the Irish Prison Service, said the decision has satisfied the organisation’s concerns.

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

“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.

“This decision satisfies the IPS concerns that all staff must be searched prior to being cleared for duty.”