EXCLUSIVE | 

Senior prison officer at centre of bullying and harassment probe shuts door on questions

Senior worker at Midlands jail suspended in allegations probe

Today at 16:10

A senior prison officer under investigation after multiple allegations of bullying and harassment were made against him shut his front door in our reporter’s face when we tried to speak with him about the ongoing probe.

The long serving officer was formally suspended from his duties at the Midlands Prison on Saturday last on foot of four complaints being lodged against him by four separate IPS staff members.

It’s understood that two of the complainants against him were male and two were female.

The complaints from the male members of staff are understood to relate to repeatedly alleged incidents of shouting and abusive comments they claim were made to them by the officer.

The complaints from the female members of staff relate to similar type incidents that at least one of the two claimed were misogynistic in tone.

When the Sunday World called to the prison officer’s address this week, he declined to comment.

After our reporter asked to speak with him by name, the suspended officer responded: “And you are?”

When our man gave his name, the suspended officer replied with a curt ‘no’ before closing the door in his face.

A source told the Sunday World that the complaints have been received with the utmost seriousness by authorities in the prison and were forwarded to the Irish Prison Service’s headquarters in Longford.

“There are very clear guidelines set down within all branches of the civil service concerning the treatment of co-workers with respect and decency,” the source said.

“The Irish Prison Service is no different in that regard. What make this especially concerning is that all prison officers are in a position of authority where, if anything, a higher standard of behaviour should be observed.

“The decision by any prison officer to make a complaint against another officer represents a very difficult choice as the decision can also have serious ramifications for the complainant. In this case, four of this officer’s fellow staff have made that decision.

“That said, as with all investigations carried out by the Irish Prison Service, the person complained of starts out with the presumption of innocence.

“If the complaints are upheld, the consequences for this individual would be extremely serious and can carry a penalty up to an including dismissal. For that reason, the complaints will have to be examined very closely.

“CCTV of the alleged incidents, if available, will be sought and efforts will have to be made to see if the alleged incidents complained of were witnessed by unrelated third parties.”

Contacted by the Sunday World, the Irish Prison Service declined to comment on the specifics of the case.

However, in a statement issued to this newspaper, a spokesperson said: “The Irish Prison Service sets high standards in respect of its staff and requires that all staff carry out their duties with integrity, commitment and professionalism at all times.

“Where a complaint is received about the behaviour of a staff member, this is treated with the utmost seriousness by the Irish Prison Service and investigated in a manner that is fair and protects the rights of all parties involved.”

The Midlands Prison is regarded as one of the most ‘settled’ prisons in the prison estate — housing a large number of elderly inmates as well long-term inmates.

A source insisted that incidents of bullying and harassment, as alleged in the complaints against the suspended prison officer, would be the exception rather than the norm within the prison.