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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. | |
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. |
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