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Prison officers defy court order Prison officers end pay strike
(about 1 hour later)
Thousands of prison officers are defying a High Court injunction and refusing to end their national strike over a pay dispute. The Prison Officers' Association (POA) has called off its pay strike after being offered fresh talks by the government, the union said.
The surprise walkout by members of the Prison Officers' Association (POA) in England and Wales began at 0700 BST. POA general secretary Brian Caton recommended that staff return to work immediately after a wildcat stike that hit prisons across the country.
Thousands of prison officers had earlier defied a High Court injunction, and refused to end strike action.
The surprise walkout by POA members in England and Wales began at 0700 BST.
The action came after it pulled out of a no-strike agreement with government.The action came after it pulled out of a no-strike agreement with government.
Officers in Bristol, Canterbury and Long Lartin returned to work in the afternoon, but other POA members said they would stay out for 24 hours. Immediate end
Mr Caton told BBC News 24: "We will lead our membership back to work and we will do that in an orderly fashion and that is regardless of any court injunction.."
Asked when the end of the strike should happen, Mr Caton replied "straightaway".
His recommendations came after officers in Bristol, Canterbury and Long Lartin had already returned to work in the afternoon, but other POA members had said they would stay out for 24 hours.
Prison Governors Association chairman Charles Bushell told BBC News all 129 prisons in England and Wales had suffered disruption.Prison Governors Association chairman Charles Bushell told BBC News all 129 prisons in England and Wales had suffered disruption.
During the day, prisoners were kept locked in their cells and senior managers took charge of duties such as distributing meals. Visitors were also turned away and court appearances cancelled.During the day, prisoners were kept locked in their cells and senior managers took charge of duties such as distributing meals. Visitors were also turned away and court appearances cancelled.
The POA's national executive committee, who are due to meet in London in the evening, are yet to issue formal instructions to its members on how to respond to the injunction.
BBC correspondent Daniel Sandford said the union appeared to be using "delaying tactics" to stretch the dispute out, potentially risking the government seeking a further order from the courts for breaching the injunction.
'Widespread' action'Widespread' action
Earlier this year the independent pay review body for prisons recommended to ministers salaries ranging from £12,000 for auxiliary staff to almost £32,000 for principal officers, representing a 2.5% rise in two stages.Earlier this year the independent pay review body for prisons recommended to ministers salaries ranging from £12,000 for auxiliary staff to almost £32,000 for principal officers, representing a 2.5% rise in two stages.
PRISON OFFICER SALARIES Auxiliary staff: £13,318Storeman: £14,942Night patrol: £14,084Entry officer min: £17,744Prison officer: £27,530Senior officer: £29.371Principal officer: £31,913 Recommended top pay in posts as of April 2007. Source: Office for Manpower EconomicsPRISON OFFICER SALARIES Auxiliary staff: £13,318Storeman: £14,942Night patrol: £14,084Entry officer min: £17,744Prison officer: £27,530Senior officer: £29.371Principal officer: £31,913 Recommended top pay in posts as of April 2007. Source: Office for Manpower Economics
Most prison officers start on around £17,700.Most prison officers start on around £17,700.
The POA, which has 28,000 members, said up to 90% of those who had been due on duty had joined the strike.The POA, which has 28,000 members, said up to 90% of those who had been due on duty had joined the strike.
It said the walkout had been "widespread and unprecedented" and there was "lockdown" - where prisoners are confined to their cells - at most prisons.It said the walkout had been "widespread and unprecedented" and there was "lockdown" - where prisoners are confined to their cells - at most prisons.
Affected prisons include:Affected prisons include:
  • Liverpool prison where about 25-30 striking officers temporarily suspend their action to deal with three prisoners who had climbed on to a roof
  • Liverpool prison where about 25-30 striking officers temporarily suspend their action to deal with three prisoners who had climbed on to a roof
  • Birmingham prison where a mass outdoor meeting has taken place; all 1,450 prisoners are locked down, and fire engines attended to deal with two minor fires, one inside a cell and a rubbish fire outside
  • Birmingham prison where a mass outdoor meeting has taken place; all 1,450 prisoners are locked down, and fire engines attended to deal with two minor fires, one inside a cell and a rubbish fire outside
  • Bristol prison where more than 120 officers joined a picket line after serving breakfast to inmates. Staff returned to work at 1550 BST
  • Bristol prison where more than 120 officers joined a picket line after serving breakfast to inmates. Staff returned to work at 1550 BST
  • Wormwood Scrubs in west London, where the 1,300 prisoners are being looked after by eight governors
  • Wormwood Scrubs in west London, where the 1,300 prisoners are being looked after by eight governors
    • Officers at Bristol prison began to return to duties in the afternoonOfficers at Bristol prison began to return to duties in the afternoon
  • Manchester prison - formerly known as Strangeways - where plans are in place to serve packed lunches and dinners to inmates in their cells
  • Manchester prison - formerly known as Strangeways - where plans are in place to serve packed lunches and dinners to inmates in their cells
  • Cardiff prison where inmates locked in their cells have taunted a picket line in the car park with shouts of "You're breaking the law"
  • Dartmoor, Exeter and Channings Wood prisons in south-west England
  • Cardiff prison where inmates locked in their cells have taunted a picket line in the car park with shouts of "You're breaking the law"
  • Dartmoor, Exeter and Channings Wood prisons in south-west England
  • Wakefield prison, where POA officials claimed the 745 inmates - including Soham killer Ian Huntley - were being guarded by no more than 20 senior managers
  • Wakefield prison, where POA officials claimed the 745 inmates - including Soham killer Ian Huntley - were being guarded by no more than 20 senior managers
  • Frankland high-security prison, County Durham, where a handful of striking officers volunteered to go back to work because of the danger posed by inmates
  • Frankland high-security prison, County Durham, where a handful of striking officers volunteered to go back to work because of the danger posed by inmates
  • Wellingborough Prison in Northamptonshire where the site is being run by the governor and other civilian staff
  • Wellingborough Prison in Northamptonshire where the site is being run by the governor and other civilian staff
    • The Association of Chief Police Officers said police cells were being used for any inmates who could not return to their normal prison after court and for newly sentenced prisoners.The Association of Chief Police Officers said police cells were being used for any inmates who could not return to their normal prison after court and for newly sentenced prisoners.
    'Overwhelming case''Overwhelming case'
    The prison population in England and Wales is close to capacity levels, with about 80,000 people held.The prison population in England and Wales is close to capacity levels, with about 80,000 people held.
    At the High Court, the judge, Mr Justice Ramsey, said there was an "overwhelming case" that a legally binding agreement had been broken.At the High Court, the judge, Mr Justice Ramsey, said there was an "overwhelming case" that a legally binding agreement had been broken.
    Lawyers for the Ministry of Justice told the High Court the strike had meant there was a backlog of 900 people waiting to be transferred to prisons.Lawyers for the Ministry of Justice told the High Court the strike had meant there was a backlog of 900 people waiting to be transferred to prisons.
    The administration of the prison service as part of the administration of justice in the country requires the grant of the injunction Mr Justice Ramsey Q&A: Prison officer strike Prisoner found deadThe administration of the prison service as part of the administration of justice in the country requires the grant of the injunction Mr Justice Ramsey Q&A: Prison officer strike Prisoner found dead
    The hearing was also told a prisoner had been found dead in a cell.The hearing was also told a prisoner had been found dead in a cell.
    A government lawyer said he was not making a link between the strike and the death but it was a concern.A government lawyer said he was not making a link between the strike and the death but it was a concern.
    Staff at the category-C Acklington prison in Northumberland later said they did not believe the death of William Stuart Laidlaw, who was found hanged at 0930 BST, was connected to the strike.Staff at the category-C Acklington prison in Northumberland later said they did not believe the death of William Stuart Laidlaw, who was found hanged at 0930 BST, was connected to the strike.
    Mr Justice Ramsey said the effect of any strike would have "particularly difficult consequences" to prisons already filled to capacity.Mr Justice Ramsey said the effect of any strike would have "particularly difficult consequences" to prisons already filled to capacity.
    "Given the current position in the prisons, it is clear in my view that this is an appropriate case where the administration of the prison service as part of the administration of justice in the country requires the grant of the injunction," he said."Given the current position in the prisons, it is clear in my view that this is an appropriate case where the administration of the prison service as part of the administration of justice in the country requires the grant of the injunction," he said.
    In Bristol, local POA representative Paul Moltby said he had seen the wording of the injunction and believed officers had no choice but to return to work.In Bristol, local POA representative Paul Moltby said he had seen the wording of the injunction and believed officers had no choice but to return to work.
    "The judge makes it quite clear that anybody who does not go back to work... does not follow the court order... will be in contempt of court and that is not a position we feel that we can put prison officers in," he said."The judge makes it quite clear that anybody who does not go back to work... does not follow the court order... will be in contempt of court and that is not a position we feel that we can put prison officers in," he said.
    Shadow minister for justice Edward Garnier said the government had "mis-managed, both strategically and on a day-to-day basis the prison estate" and "wound-up" the POA.Shadow minister for justice Edward Garnier said the government had "mis-managed, both strategically and on a day-to-day basis the prison estate" and "wound-up" the POA.
    Officials say Justice Secretary Jack Straw is planning to hold talks with the POA next week but deny the government had failed to address concerns about pay and falling morale.Officials say Justice Secretary Jack Straw is planning to hold talks with the POA next week but deny the government had failed to address concerns about pay and falling morale.
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    Are you a prison officer affected by this story? What do you think about the injunction? Send us your experiences using the form below.
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