Staff levels inadequate

Proposals from Justice Minister Michael McDowell to cut the huge cost of running the prisons service must not merely be an exercise in saving money, but must guarantee a satisfactory level of staffing.

In 2001 the bill for prison overtime amounted to €55 million which is an excessive sum but much of it represents forced overtime, according to the Prison Officers' Association.

Indeed, the minister accepts that this situation occurs because staffing levels in prisons are inadequate to meet the needs of the service. Since 1995, there has been a 50% increase in the prison population, without a corresponding increase in staff.