Madam, - Your Editorial of October 30th was very biased. Throughout, the views of Mr McDowell and the Irish Prison Service were well represented; not so the views of the Prison Officers Association. The fact that over 99 per cent of its members had rejected the latest offer from the Prison Service on the previous day was omitted.
To state that prison officers are world leaders in terms of staffing levels and pay is untrue and misleading.
The vast bulk of overtime worked by prison officers is compulsory. Officers are paid for the work they do - and nothing more. In fact since May 2001 there have been more than 50,000 instances where prison officers where compelled to work overtime. The Prison Service is a 24-hour, seven-day operation, which incorporates the safe custody, welfare and rehabilitation of offenders in the most challenging of environments. At times this work is extremely dangerous to our members.
No other group of employees faces daily the personal risks of prison officers - daily threats, intimidation and specifically attacks from prisoners using razors, syringes and makeshift weapons. Statistics indicate that violence and assaults against prison officers in their place of work - and indeed, worryingly, outside it - are increasing. The many stresses often have a ripple effect on our families as well as us as individuals.
The Minister cannot have it both ways: on one hand we are compelled to work overtime and on the other hand we are continually condemned because of the size of the overtime bill. It is worth pointing out that the Minister has sought a derogation in relation to the organisation of the Working Time Act; in fact this derogation is in perpetuity. It should also be noted that legal proceedings were brought against the Prison Service back in the early 1980s by a pregnant officer on the issue of compulsory overtime. This case was vigorously defended and won by the Minister, confirming his right to compel staff to work overtime; yet this same Prison Service blames prison officers for the overtime culture.
I say to the Minister: Where are the family-friendly work policies The Health and Safety Authority stated in its annual report of 1996 that "after a day's work a person should be able to enjoy a full active social and family life". Unfortunately, we prison officers do not enjoy this luxury! Furthermore prison officers have been fined for failing to work compulsory overtime because of exhaustion and burnout. I myself have been sanctioned in this regard. We are not even entitled to our days off!
If the recent offer from the Prison Service was accepted, it would lead to a loss of a million hours worked by prison officers in our prisons. Despite several requests the POA was never told how the loss of input was to be dealt with in terms of the overall service to the offenders, staff safety and work attendance patterns.
The POA accepts that there must be cost savings to the Government as part of an overall solution - a solution that could have been reached much earlier if the there was less bullying and and threatening behaviour and fewer ultimatums from the Minister and his officials, and a little more listening, leading to meaningful discussions based on sound industrial relations practice.
If prison closures were to occur this would mean that the policy outlined by previous governments of providing additional prison places would be completely reversed. Overcrowding would and the "revolving door syndrome" would return.
It is now clear to the POA and our members that the offer from management is dead in the water, but nevertheless the POA is eager to find a solution that will meet the needs of both parties. This, we believe, is attainable. - Yours, etc.,
GERRY WILSON, Vice President, Prison Officers Association, Merrion Square, Dublin 2.