Prison searches dispute resolved

A dispute between the Irish Prison Service and prison officers over new security arrangements in jails has been resolved.

Prison officers had staged two one-hour work stoppages in December in protest at plans to search them before they clocked in for duty.

The Prison Officers' Association (POA) argued that their members would be searched on their own time, meaning a lengthening to their working day for no extra pay.

However, following referral of the matter to an adjudicator it has now been agreed by both sides that officers will clock in before being processed through the new search mechanism.

Once they have been searched a further recording will be introduced which will clear the officers to begin their duties.

The searches are being introduced for all staff and visitors as part of a drive to reduce the level of contraband, including mobile phones and drugs, reaching inmates.

A statement released by prison service director general Brian Purcell said once clocking in takes place there would be "no facility available" for officers to circumvent the new screening process.

"This decision satisfies the Irish Prison Service that all staff must be searched prior to being cleared for duty," the statement noted.

The POA said it welcomed the decision which came after both sides had made submissions to the adjudicator.

POA deputy general secretary Eugene Dennehy said his association would now seek a meeting with prison service management to discuss the roll out of the new system.