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Report criticises jail managers Report criticises jail managers
(about 9 hours later)
An independent review has highlighted shortcomings in a disciplinary process that led to 10 prison officers being recommended for dismissal.An independent review has highlighted shortcomings in a disciplinary process that led to 10 prison officers being recommended for dismissal.
The officers were investigated following the death of Colin Bell who was on suicide watch at Maghaberry jail when he took his own life in July 2008.The officers were investigated following the death of Colin Bell who was on suicide watch at Maghaberry jail when he took his own life in July 2008.
The 10 officers are appealing the ruling. The review did not conclude that the punishments were wrong.The 10 officers are appealing the ruling. The review did not conclude that the punishments were wrong.
It was also strongly critical of the Prison Officers' Association.It was also strongly critical of the Prison Officers' Association.
Mr Bell was on suicide watch at the time of his death and was meant to be monitored every 15 minutes.Mr Bell was on suicide watch at the time of his death and was meant to be monitored every 15 minutes.
However, some prison officers who were supposed to be watching him were instead watching television and sleeping when he died. However, some prison officers who were supposed to be watching him were instead watching television.
A Prisoner Ombudsman report also found that an officer was observed preparing and using a makeshift bed, however the Prison Service emphasised that no-one was sleeping on the night Mr Bell died.
The disciplinary investigation examined the actions of night custody officers that evening and during the previous month.The disciplinary investigation examined the actions of night custody officers that evening and during the previous month.
'Denied justice''Denied justice'
As a result, 10 of them have been recommended for dismissal and are appealing the decision. Three senior officers were demoted, two others resigned, and cases against five officers were thrown out.As a result, 10 of them have been recommended for dismissal and are appealing the decision. Three senior officers were demoted, two others resigned, and cases against five officers were thrown out.
The Prison Officers' Association claims its members were denied natural justice.The Prison Officers' Association claims its members were denied natural justice.
The independent review says there were shortcomings in the investigation, which were largely due to a failure by management at Maghaberry to act decisively.The independent review says there were shortcomings in the investigation, which were largely due to a failure by management at Maghaberry to act decisively.
But it said the Prisons Officers' Association must share the blame for defects in the disciplinary hearings for staff, because it used delaying tactics and made unreasonable demands - including requests for more than 40 witnesses to be called in every case.But it said the Prisons Officers' Association must share the blame for defects in the disciplinary hearings for staff, because it used delaying tactics and made unreasonable demands - including requests for more than 40 witnesses to be called in every case.