The Five Demands

Gli ufficiali carcerari si sono espressi favorevolmente ad un’escalation della loro azione, che potrebbe portarli allo sciopero.
I fatti si riferiscono alle controversie nate dopo il suicidio di Colin Bell, avvenuto nella prigione di Maghaberry, nell’agosto dello scorso anno. Il detenuto si trovava sotto stretta sorveglianza visto la sua tendenza autolesionista, ma al momento del suicidio è stato rivelato che gli ufficiali stavano dormendo o guardando la televisione.
La Prison Officers Association ha però accusato il Prison Service di aver esteso l’azione disciplinare anche agli altri funzionari.
Finlay Spratt, del POA, ha affermato che i membri dell’associazione si sono espressi con determinazione (71%) a favore dell’inasprimento della loro azione, che potrebbe ora sfociare in uno sciopero.
Il Prison Service ha di conseguenza reagito con rabbia, accusando la Prison Officers Association di aver condotto illegalmente lo scrutinio e ricordando che la legge vieta ai funzionari carcerari di scioperare.

Prison officer dispute escalates
Prison officers in Northern Ireland have voted to increase industrial action, which could lead to them going on strike, BBC News has learned. It follows a dispute over disciplinary action and sick leave after the death of a prisoner on suicide watch. Colin Bell hanged himself in Maghaberry jail last August while some staff were sleeping or watching television. But, according to the Prison Officers Association, subsequent disciplinary action has extended to other officers. Prison officers have been operating a ‘work to rule’ since February, and now 71% of those balloted have said yes to more action. Finlay Spratt, from the Prison Officers Association (POA), says its members are in a determined mood. “It’s too bad we have to go down this road. The vote is a terrible indictment of Prison Service management.” However, the Prison Service has reacted angrily. It has accused the POA of acting unlawfully in how it conducted the ballot. Mark McGuckin, the Deputy Director of Finance and Personnel at the Prison Service said the law forbids prison officers from striking. He said the work to rule has already impacted negatively on the running of Maghaberry.