Prison Officers
Overview
A prison officer shall, in relation to prisoners in his charge or supervision, ensure maintenance of good order safe and secure custody, interact with each prisoner in a manner that supports his rehabilitation and welfare and where he is of the opinion that the prisoner needs medical, psychiatric or other assistance or special care, or closer observation, inform an officer of higher rank or the Governor immediately.
Prison officers must be fully conversant with and comply with prison rules and local orders in force. They shall ensure the maintenance of good order and safe and secure custody.
They shall comply with the Governor and cooperate with other officers and persons engaged in the provision of services in the prison in a manner that will ensure that the persons, they must conduct themselves at all time and perform their functions in such a way as to have a good influence on, be a good example, respect the dignity and human rights of, contribute to the rehabilitation and reintegration into the community and general welfare of and maintain the respect of prisoner and in so doing shall respect the privacy of prisoners of the opposite gender.
A prison officer shall at all times, behave in an orderly and disciplined manner and shall not engage in a conduct or in a manner that will cause embarrassment to or discredit the Prison Service.
Dress Equipment & Accomodation
A prison officer on duty
- shall wear a uniform in such manner and type as specified by the Governor or Director General;
- wear identification marks of such type and description as is specified;
- maintain a level of appearance and personal cleanliness consistent with the standards of a disciplined service.
A prison officer while on duty shall use equipment of such type and description as may be specified. They shall not take any key, lock or unlocking device outside the gate or leave them unattended or lend to another prison officer.
Official accommodation may be provided to prison officers. They may not alter it, sublet it or undertake any commercial activity from it. They shall vacate it, when required or on retirement or discharge or resignation.
Hand Over
When leaving the prison or coming off duty, they shall deliver all keys, locking and unlocking devices to such prison officers, as may be authorised to receive them. Prison officer shall, insofar as reasonably practicable, comply with the request for information that the Inspector of Prison makes in the performance of his duties.
A prison officer on being relieved of any duty or transfer to some other duty shall point out to the prison officer who relieves or succeeds him, all matters of special importance connected with the duty and explain any directions of the Governor or other superior officer relating to any particular prisoner. On all occasions, a prison officer who receives charge of a party or prisoner shall, count the number and repeat the number aloud, to the prison officer to whom he receives them.
Duty to Report
A prison officer shall immediately report any defect or insufficiency in the state of a building, structure or equipment that would compromise security, good order and good governance of prison or health and safety. In taking a duty and as frequently as may be, he shall examine the state of any building, equipment, structure or such area as he has responsibility for and shall forthwith report any defect or insufficiency that could compromise good order, safe and secure custody, health or safety.
Where a prison officer is by reason of illness or other reason, unable to attend to his duties, he shall inform the Governor immediately in line with sick leave procedures, for the time being in operation. Annual leave may be granted at such time as the Governor may determine consistent with the need to maintain good order, safety and security.
A prison officer who is notified that he is suspended shall immediately furnish any keys and locking devices, equipments, tools etc. issued to him. He shall during suspension attend the prison or such place as the Governor directs, comply with directions as the Governor may make.
A prison officer shall communicate with an officer of higher rank or the Governor, in relation to any matter what he considers of sufficient importance or should be brought to their attention. A prison officer wishing to complain or bring any matter to the attention of the Minister shall communicate the same in writing to the Governor, who shall immediately furnish it to the Minister.
A prison officer must report any breach of prison discipline by a prisoner to the Governor or to a prison officer of higher rank, as soon as may be after he becomes aware of it.
A prison officer may make suggestions as he considers appropriate for the improvement of facilities in the prison, prisons generally or the improvement in relation to the running or management of a prison, to the officer of higher rank or the Governor.
A prisoner who is charged with a criminal offence, adjudicated bankrupt or subject to bankruptcy proceedings must immediately inform the Governor who is to inform the Minister.
Keeping Order
A prison officer shall not impose a punishment, penalty or probation, unless he is authorised to do so by the Governor and its imposition is in accordance with the prison rules.
Where for the purpose of maintaining and restoring good order, or restoring good order or safe and secure custody, it is deemed necessary to use force, such force as may reasonably be necessary and proportionate to that purpose may be used.
A prison officer shall not strike a prisoner unless compelled to do so to prevent injury to himself or another. When force has to be used on a prisoner, the Governor shall ensure insofar as reasonably practicable, that the prisoner concerned is examined by a healthcare professional. Where force is used in relation to a prisoner, a prison officer must immediately inform the Governor and report to him, in writing of the circumstances.
No officer shall, inappropriately communicate or associated with any person, who he knows to be a former prisoner or a relative, associate of a prisoner or a former prisoner.
Search Powers
Where the Governor on reasonable grounds or in the interest of ensuring safe and secure custody and good government of prisons, believes that the prison officers or other persons, for the time being employed or engaged in the provision of service in the possession of a prohibited article, attempting to take any official property or prohibited article out of the prison or into the prison, the Governor may cause the prison officer or other person to be searched.
The carrying out of the search may consist an examination of the person and clothing, may involve removal of outer clothing only and articles in his possession. Search shall be carried out with a due regard to decency, privacy and the dignity of the person being searched. Person shall not be required to undress completely.
A search shall not be conducted in the presence or view of a prisoner and shall be conducted in the view or presence of such number of officers, of same gender as are required to ensure the effective conduct of the search and maintenance of good order. The Governor may require the attendance of members of An Garda SÃochána for such purpose.
The Governor may search any vehicle, parcel boxes, containers in the prison or within its boundary. Where the Governor upon reasonable grounds believes that a prison officer or other person employed or engaged in the provision of a service
- has or is likely to cause damage to any property in the prison;
- is likely to interfere with or destroy anything as may be required as evidence in proceedings;
- is likely to attempt to suborn a witness in proceedings before court or is behaving in a manner that it is likely, that would constitute a threat to the maintenance of good order or safe and secure custody,
the Governor may require the person to leave the prison or may cause him to be removed.