Prison officers unlock the call to shed light on a dangerous job

THE men and women of the Irish Prison Service are very concerned that various newspaper articles taint the public’s perception of them.

Prison officers perform a demanding and dangerous job. No other group of employees faces, on a daily basis, the personal risks associated with the job of a prison officer: threats, intimidation and attacks from prisoners using razors, blood-filled syringes and makeshift weapons.

Statistics show that violence against prison officers in their place of work and, worryingly, outside of it is increasing at an alarming rate.

The stresses of our job often have an effect on our families. The safety of prison officers and their families is non-negotiable.

It is regrettable that when prison officers attempt to maintain working conditions, safety standards and improve the environment by challenging unsafe proposals, the media coverage often focuses solely on the overtime issue.

Of far greater concern to staff is their own health and safety and that of their families. Our members do not receive bonuses or commission and it takes eleven years to reach the maximum on the pay scale.

In addition to basic pay, prison officers are paid allowances for working unsocial hours at weekends, public holidays, night duties etc. Since May, 2001, there have been some 43,000 instances where prison officers have been compelled to work overtime; we are not even guaranteed a basic entitlement such as time off.

We would like to see an end to overtime. I look forward to the day when, like most citizens of the state, we could work a 39-hour week .

Stress has a huge impact on our health and well-being . Gerry Wilson,

Vice President,

Prison Officers Association,

18, Merrion Square,

Dublin 2.