Prison Staff

Staff who work in penal institutions carry out difficult work on behalf of the public. For this they receive little appreciation. Fourteen years ago the Whitaker Committee of Inquiry into the Penal System observed that, "... prison officers are frustrated with the limited nature of their role, confused when asked to expand it, suspicious of the increasing number of professionals within the prison service, and because of the low estimation of their work, reluctant to admit socially that they are members of the prison service". This situation is unacceptable and has persisted for too long.

There can be no doubt that the key to a humane prison service is its staff. Good quality professional relationships between prisoners and prison officers are essential for the smooth running of any institution. To foster the development of these relationships change is required immediately in the area of induction training. As things stand new recruits receive only eight weeks training in total: six weeks in a classroom followed by two weeks familiarisation in a prison. This is totally inadequate. The initial training period should be extended to include a thorough grounding in human rights education and how to deal with troubled young people. An emphasis on continuing professional development and opportunities to acquire new skills should be part of every prison officer's career plan.

There are several reasons for believing that as things are presently structured the treatment of prisoners falls below an acceptable standard.

1. The Council of Europe Committee for the Prevention of Torture found that "...the existence of ill-treatment of prisoners by prison staff at Mountjoy and Limerick Prisons was openly acknowledged by some of the senior staff in those establishments... in at least some prisons in Ireland... there are certain officerswho have a propensity to ill-treat prisoners".
   
   
2. A survey by Dr. Paul O'Mahony showed that only a quarter of prisoners felt they were treated well by prison staff. More than one third claimed to have been physically assaulted by a prison officer. When asked who they could turn to if they had personal problems none mentioned the Class Officers with whom they have daily contact on the wings.
   
   
3. The Mountjoy Prison Visiting Committee Report for 1996 declared: "We must say that allegations of ill treatment of prisoners by prison officers is one of the most disturbing aspects of our work... many prisoners regularly report taunting by officers, and name calling, which can cause serious provocation, but the prisoners' statements are seldom investigated".
   
   
4. Prison governors have warned of "... the absolute control held by the Prison Officers' Association over the effective and efficient management of the Irish prison service... Almost every single operational decision is influenced by either political considerations or trade union interests and usually to the detriment of good management practice".

This poor treatment is provided at enormous expense. In 1996 it cost £43,000 to keep one person in prison for a year in Ireland compared with £31,000 in the Netherlands, £25,000 in England and Wales, and £20,000 in Canada. These excessive costs are due in large part to a generous staff to prisoner ratio and high overtime payments.

A Review Group established to examine prison operating costs reported in August 1997 that, "... some of the Prison Service's work methods are inconsistent with best practice. These problems are mainly due to rostering (lack of local discretion), staffing (inflexible post lists in many prisons) and overtime (systems based on the concept that overtime is an 'entitlement'). These practices must be reformed".

The notion that prisons are run more for the convenience of staff than the rehabilitation of prisoners is extremely disturbing. It is regrettable that such a situation has been allowed to develop.

It is difficult for prisoners to draw attention to ill treatment and there is a perception that abuse can continue unchallenged and unchecked. Prison Visiting Committees are widely perceived as ineffectual. The Ombudsman is not allowed to consider complaints by prisoners. There is no inspector of prisons.

It would not be right to suggest that Irish prisons are places where serious violence and abuse is a daily occurrence. The reality is much more mundane. In our committal prisons life is chaotic and without great meaning. Elsewhere it is less frenzied but equally pointless. However, even if deliberate ill treatment is rare there must be structures in place to ensure that it can be dealt with swiftly and effectively. Inertia and bad practice thrive on secrecy and complacency.

Recommendations

1. The ombudsman's remit should be extended to include complaints from prisoners.
2. A full-time prison inspector should be appointed without further delay.
3. Induction training for prison officers should be broadened and extended.

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