Latest: Safety and well being of prison staff is 'paramount' says Justice Minister

Latest: Prison officers have claimed that jail inmates have cast aside an “unwritten rule” that existed in the past which held that female prison officers would not be assaulted.

By Conor Kane

Update 5.20pm: The Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan told the conference last night that “the safety and wellbeing of prison staff” is of paramount importance to him and the prison service management.