Unfair treatment of prison officers

ONCE again, prison officers’ overtime is highlighted in the media, and

Sat, 03 May, 2003 - 01:00

the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, who describes it as “insatiable and indefensible”. Strong words indeed, minister.

I would like to make the following points:

* Prison officers only work overtime when required to do so by management.

* A high proportion of overtime is on a compulsory basis.

* Failure to report on such occasions can result in the officer being disciplined.

* The High Court has upheld the right of prison management to compel prison officers to perform compulsory overtime.

* Half of all overtime payments revert to the Exchequer in PAYE and PRSI.

At the prison officers’ annual conference, the minister announced his intention to give us 90 days to consider and implement his proposals to eliminate overtime. This proposal has taken his officials several years to complete. And he expects a response within 90 days? This is the same minister to whom prison officers may communicate any matter which affects him/her under the Rules for Government of Prisons 1947.

Patrick Jordan,

St Patrick’s Institution,

North Circular Road,

Dublin 7.