We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
LAST UPDATE | 30 Mar 2020
THE IRISH PRISON Service is contacting retired staff members to see if they are interested in returning to work during the coronavirus crisis.
The IPS said it is looking for people to temporarily return to work to ensure that all the nation’s prisons continue to operate.
A statement from the IPS reads: “Covid-19 will have a significant impact on Irish society and every one of us is taking action to reduce the effect it has on our families and communities. In our Prison Service, we are preparing to address the impacts of Covid-19 on the operation of prisons.
“In preparation for the potential impact, we are asking retired prison staff from all grades to register their interest in temporarily returning to work to support the operation of prisons as we move through this crisis.
“Retirees who express their interest will be contacted if their skillset, availability and geographic preference match with the emerging needs of the prison service. This means we are responding to needs as, where and when they arise.
“We cannot predict where the need will arise. As you can appreciate, this is a busy and challenging time for the prison service, so we ask for your continued patience and understanding in this regard.”
Earlier this month, it emerged that 200 inmates had been granted temporary release due to the crisis.
There are currently nearly 4,200 people in Ireland’s 13 prisons.
Over the weekend, the IPS said all physical family visits to prisons not be allowed. Instead video calls will now be introduced. It said it had made every effort to continue to run normal family visits for along as possible.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Get all the keyboard warriors on here in to do work in the prisons they need the exercise
@Margaret Mcgarry: After you Margaret :-)
@Margaret Mcgarry: was going to say, leave the prison officers enjoying their pension be.
Get some of the thousands temporarily out of work to do shifts. Have them in teams of 3/5 so they can never be outnumbered.
Oh, and we should video it for entertainment.
@milton friedman: I agree with your comment regarding leaving the prison officers enjoying their pension be. Those pensions in the main were hard earned.
At the moment very few Jailers would respond positively compared to the defence forces, very different espirit de corps as commitment to duty is drummed into the military but not prison staff. The Prison Service is not de facto regarded as a ‘disciplined force’ in the same frame as Gardai and the Defence Forces.
Any screws loose?
Can we all go back in fed & watered no bills not a worry in the world phones computers the lot
Those 80 year old warders should handle the job no problem
@Phil O Stine: Prison Staff can retire at 50 if they have completed 30 years in service. Same as Gardai. So many of the retired staff are relatively young . There are many vital areas in prisons and highly trained staff are vital.
@Aine O Connor: Minimum age to retire is 55, unless under ill health retirement.
Gypsy Joe will sort it out
Sure wouldn’t it be great for gypsy Joe to save them all
have your say