HC Deb 29 June 1908 vol 191 cc337-8
MR. J. DEVLIN

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that, for some years past, the officers in Belfast prison were not to be on duty for more than ten hours daily, and that, where they were on duty for more than ten hours daily, they were allowed the extra time off duty afterwards; whether this regulation has now been suspended, and, if so, why; whether some of the officers are obliged to be on duty for sixteen hours per day; whether any such system obtains in any other Irish prison; whether any vacancies exist on the staff, and, if so, why they are not filled up; and whether he will have inquiries made into the whole matter.

(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) Under an arrangement which has been in force for some years in Belfast and all other prisons, the period of duty of prison officers is limited as far as practicable to ten hours each day, and a period of relief from duty in the earlier part of the day is allowed to officers who are required for evening duty. This arrangement is necessarily liable to suspension when officers are ill, on leave, or on special duty, or where temporary vacancies exist. In Belfast prison it has been necessary to suspend the arrangement for thirteen days during the present month as regards male officers only, owing to the simultaneous existence of all the causes mentioned. While this suspension was in force, an officer detailed for evening duty was on duty for thirteen hours in the day, three hours being allowed for meals; but each officer's turn for such duty occurred every tenth day only, and on the recent occasion no man was affected more than twice. There is at present one vacancy at Belfast, which has been filled up as from 3rd July. A few days' delay must necessarily occur in the filling of a vacancy. I am informed that the prison officers at Belfast have cheerfully acquiesced in the recent suspension of the customary relief, as to have granted it would have necessitated the recall of officers on annual vacation and the postponement of leave for others.