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Prison officers' strike spreads Prison officers' strike spreads
(about 2 hours later)
Strike action among prison officers has spread to a second jail, the Prison Officers' Association has said. Strike action among prison officers has spread to further jails, the Prison Officers' Association (POA) has said.
Hundreds of officers have been on a picket line outside HMP Liverpool on a second day of unofficial action there.Hundreds of officers have been on a picket line outside HMP Liverpool on a second day of unofficial action there.
They first walked out on Tuesday, amid claims of bullying and harassment by their supervisors.They first walked out on Tuesday, amid claims of bullying and harassment by their supervisors.
Hundreds more officers from Risley Prison near Warrington have joined them and staff at three other jails are threatening to walk out later. About 150 officers from Risley Prison, near Warrington, have joined them as well as staff at Lancaster Castle, Lancaster Farms and Verne prison.
Staff at Preston, Wandsworth and Cardiff prisons are threatening to stop work at lunchtime unless managers agree to talks, Prison Officers Association (POA) deputy general secretary Mark Freeman said. Staff at Preston, Wandsworth and Cardiff prisons are threatening to stop work unless managers agree to talks, Prison Officers Association (POA) deputy general secretary Mark Freeman said.
The POA said it wanted to have "meaningful talks" with the Prison Service but it would continue its strike.The POA said it wanted to have "meaningful talks" with the Prison Service but it would continue its strike.
The Prison Service has condemned the action as "wrong and unsafe" and said appropriate measures would be taken against any prison staff who did not attend work "in support of this unlawful and unacceptable action".The Prison Service has condemned the action as "wrong and unsafe" and said appropriate measures would be taken against any prison staff who did not attend work "in support of this unlawful and unacceptable action".
The Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 makes it unlawful to induce prison officers to go on strike or to take other industrial action which could put the safety of the public, prisoners or staff at risk Prison Service spokesmanThe Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 makes it unlawful to induce prison officers to go on strike or to take other industrial action which could put the safety of the public, prisoners or staff at risk Prison Service spokesman
A spokesman said: "This action relates to an ongoing investigation into an allegation within the prison.A spokesman said: "This action relates to an ongoing investigation into an allegation within the prison.
"This is being investigated under the NOMS' [National Offender Management Service] Code of Conduct and it is our belief that the actions taken so far by the prison management are appropriate within the circumstances."This is being investigated under the NOMS' [National Offender Management Service] Code of Conduct and it is our belief that the actions taken so far by the prison management are appropriate within the circumstances.
"There is a planned meeting between prison unions and senior NOMS managers next week — as with all such meetings unions are free to raise any concerns."There is a planned meeting between prison unions and senior NOMS managers next week — as with all such meetings unions are free to raise any concerns.
"The Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 makes it unlawful to induce prison officers to go on strike or to take other industrial action which could put the safety of the public, prisoners or staff at risk.""The Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 makes it unlawful to induce prison officers to go on strike or to take other industrial action which could put the safety of the public, prisoners or staff at risk."
'Olive branch''Olive branch'
Mr Freeman said he expected prison officers across England and Wales to join the strike. He said: "The Prison Service's intransigence on this issue is ridiculous.Mr Freeman said he expected prison officers across England and Wales to join the strike. He said: "The Prison Service's intransigence on this issue is ridiculous.
"They would not agree to a meeting to discuss this issue. The POA are holding out the olive branch.""They would not agree to a meeting to discuss this issue. The POA are holding out the olive branch."
Staff at other prisons are considering walking in sympathy Staff in Walton are staging a second day of unofficial action
"We have said to the Prison Service you can end this dispute now by agreeing to a dedicated meeting to discuss the bullying and harassment by senior management at Liverpool."We have said to the Prison Service you can end this dispute now by agreeing to a dedicated meeting to discuss the bullying and harassment by senior management at Liverpool.
"They are refusing to do that. Some prisons had meetings this morning to discuss this issue. I would expect other prisons to follow suit.""They are refusing to do that. Some prisons had meetings this morning to discuss this issue. I would expect other prisons to follow suit."
On Wednesday morning HMP Liverpool was being run by 20 officers and 30 managers, and police patrols outside the building have been increased.On Wednesday morning HMP Liverpool was being run by 20 officers and 30 managers, and police patrols outside the building have been increased.
'Constantly bullied''Constantly bullied'
The POA said prison employees had grown tired of being "managed by fear".The POA said prison employees had grown tired of being "managed by fear".
A POA spokesman told BBC News: "We have had a management at Liverpool prison that has constantly bullied staff.A POA spokesman told BBC News: "We have had a management at Liverpool prison that has constantly bullied staff.
"It works with a two-tier system. Allegations of a manager being a bully are always pushed under the carpet, but prison officers are finding themselves in trouble over a whole range of things."It works with a two-tier system. Allegations of a manager being a bully are always pushed under the carpet, but prison officers are finding themselves in trouble over a whole range of things.
"Staff have been moved, dismissed by a wrong and unjust management.""Staff have been moved, dismissed by a wrong and unjust management."
The dispute centres on an employment tribunal brought by one of its members against the Prison Service in September.The dispute centres on an employment tribunal brought by one of its members against the Prison Service in September.
It said both the governor of the prison and a deputy governor were "heavily criticised" by the chairman of the tribunal.It said both the governor of the prison and a deputy governor were "heavily criticised" by the chairman of the tribunal.
Prisoners were notified of a "disruption to regime" by notices, signed on behalf of the prison's governor Alan Brown.Prisoners were notified of a "disruption to regime" by notices, signed on behalf of the prison's governor Alan Brown.
It is understood that staff who were already booked for duty continued to work during the walkout.It is understood that staff who were already booked for duty continued to work during the walkout.