Prison officers' strike averted in North

A threatened strike by prison officers in the North has been averted after talks with the government, it was confirmed today.

The dispute centred on disciplinary measures imposed after an inmate suicide and more general sick leave issues.

However, Prisons Minister Paul Goggins confirmed he had brokered a deal on compromise proposals with Finlay Spratt, from the Prison Officers Association (POA).

Any strike action by prison officers could have raised tensions in jails, but Mr Goggins said agreement had now been reached between Prison Service management and the POA on the way forward.

Wardens were angry over disciplinary action taken by the NI Prison Service in the wake of the death of a prisoner on suicide watch at Maghaberry jail last year.

Colin Bell, 34, hanged himself last August while some staff were sleeping or watching television.

A subsequent investigation by the NI Prisoners Ombudsman and a joint inspection report by the Criminal Justice Inspection NI and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons were both highly critical of the practices for monitoring vulnerable inmates in the high security facility near Lisburn.

However, officers were furious that punishments handed down in the wake of the incident were extended to wardens who were not on duty on the night in question.

Staff were also unhappy about the more general issue of sick leave procedures.

Recently POA members voted 71% in favour of industrial action up to and including strikes.

Today both parties agreed:

To review the operation of Code of Conduct and Discipline and check that it was properly implemented in relation to a number of specific cases;

To begin a full consultation on the use of CCTV in prisons;

To continue with the agreed policy in relation to sick absence, and

To return to normal working on Thursday.

A statement issued on behalf of Mr Goggins today said: "The minister has indicated that, particularly in the light of recent critical reports about the Prison Service, it is essential that industrial relations in Northern Ireland Prisons are radically improved.

"He has said that all involved need to focus fully on the scope for urgent reform and improvement."

The minister will hold further discussions in September.