The Ulster Unionist Party’s Justice Spokesperson, Doug Beattie MC MLA, has welcomed a report entitled “A Review of Support Services for Operational Prison Staff’ as a positive development which should help deal with a number of issues he has previously highlighted regarding the welfare of prison officers.  

Doug Beattie MC MLA said:

“A Review of Support Services for Operational Prison Staff has now been completed with twelve clear recommendations.  These recommendations deal with real issues as diverse as working practices, occupational health support and how the lack of clarity on yearly pay deals affect morale.

“Having previously raised the issue about the injustice of how those who have a diagnosed mental health issue were being identified as being inefficient by Northern Ireland Civil Service Human Resource (NICSHR), I was particularly pleased to see that recommendation 6 addresses this issue in a broad term. It also identifies how Prison Officers on the front line cannot be viewed by NICSHR in the same manner as those working in other departments of the civil service.

“I therefore particularly welcome the recommendation that a member of the HR team should be stationed at the Prison Service Headquarters to better understand the challenges faced by prison officers.

“I am also pleased to see that officers’ shift patterns are to be reviewed. Added workload due to inadequate staffing can be addressed by a fundamental overhaul of shift patterns. This is particularly true with regard to the understaffing of Night Custody Officers, which is at the forefront of trying to deal with mental health issues.

“I believe this is a good report, it is a positive development, and I commend the review team for their hard work and the Justice Minister for taking this forward with vigour.”