STAFF at Wheatfield Prison in Dublin are balloting on industrial action this week. They are dissatisfied at the way investigations into alleged incidents are conducted by management. The result of the ballot, which involves 270 members of the Prison Officers Association, should be known by Friday.
There are 330 prisoners in Wheatfield, mostly younger offenders. The POA says it is concerned at the number of complaints from members at the State's newest prison. The procedures used to investigate incidents are different from those in other prisons, the association says.
Management has refused members the right to be represented by their union when they are being questioned, according to the POA. A spokesman, Mr Tom Hoare, said members at other institutions were asked for a written report on any incident that occurred and this was used as the basis for any further inquiries. At Wheatfield, according to Mr Hoare, management goes straight into an investigation scenario".
The union is concerned that if allows the new procedures to go unchallenged at Wheatfield they will become the norm elsewhere. The POA administrative council is recommending a Yes vote.
The Department of Justice said yesterday it was aware of the ballot but was not commenting on the dispute.