Privatisation is worthy of consideration

FOR the fourth time in as many weeks, a fatal shooting occurred on a Dublin street, with the gunning-down yesterday near Mountjoy Prison of a prisoner on day release from that jail.

The perceived difference in this latest killing and the others was that gardaí believe it happened as a result of a feud within the prison, which would go some way to supporting the Prison Officers Association (POA) assertions in relation to the dangerous conditions with which they can be forced to contend. Justice Minister Michael McDowell is embarking down the road of privatisation of certain aspects of the prison service as a cost-cutting exercise, specifically the prison escort service, the privatisation of two prisons and the closure of two others. This he is adamant about, especially in the wake of the prison officers having voted against a government proposal which would oblige them to work a set number of overtime hours, in return for new pay scales and a one-off payment.

This rejection, despite their executive recommending it, has resulted in a stand-off between the prison officers and the minister, who refused to attend their conference this week.