Prison Service

metman

Having had an interest in policing and prisons, and having had a good mate of mine become a PO in Mountjoy, I applied to the Police and Prison service after having moved to the UK. As it turned out I opted for the Police.

What originally attracted me to the Prison Service was pretty much that same thing that attracted me to the police. I quite fancied doing public order/tactical intervention work and having looked at the Prison Service I discovered that it had a little known highly regarded unit tasked with maintaining and restoring order, in the event of riot or hostage situation. Moreover this unit had primacy in hostage situations and was the preferred option in dealing with problems thus enabling the prison service to keep problems in house. This meant a well trained, funded, equipped and tasked team. An interesting prospect.

When Lincoln Prison was taken over by inmates in 2002 the then Chief Constable of Lincolnshire Constabulary decided it was too dangerous to send in officers from his force to restore order. On this basis the Home Office looked at a number of options and contingency plans were put in place and police units were put on standby, in the first instance the Home Office called up the Prison Service's own specialist Tornado Team.

This team is a highly trained unit consisting of volunteer Officers from prisons nationwide who have met the stringent physical, mental and service requirements to pass selection. Officers undergo training in subjects such as advanced control and restraint, public order tactics; shield training, angry man scenarios, baton training, distraction devices (flash bangs etc), small unit tactics, training at height, rapid entry/method of entry training as well as other tactics and equipment. The unit is highly regarded in police and public order circles.

As a result of Tornado Teams being deployed the Lincoln riot was quickly quelled quickly and without any serious injury or death.

It'd be interesting to hear what the Irish service is like and if 'The Kickers' are still used.

Angus MacGyver

metman wrote: »

It'd be interesting to hear what the Irish service is like and if 'The Kickers' are still used.

All Prison Officers in Ireland are trained in control and restraint techniques where officers are kitted out in full riot gear. There are 3 stages, teams of 3, 12 and 30 are deployed depending on the situation. A 3 man team will use a riot sheild if an inmate is armed. The larger teams are extremely disciplined and move as one unit. These techniques are safe and humane for both the officers and prisoners. Prisoners are restrained in a humane way using joint manipulation.

Eru

Oh the kickers are still around you can be sure of that but due to financial restraints and lack of man power they are not sent in as much as they should be.

480905

metman wrote: »

Having had an interest in policing and prisons, and having had a good mate of mine become a PO in Mountjoy,


It'd be interesting to hear what the Irish service is like and if 'The Kickers' are still used.

I think metman means the humble gaoler in mountjoy when he refers to a PO or Prison Officer.

the term PO refers to the rank of ACO in the present Irish system, for the prisoners who have spent time in the custody of HM Prison service.it means Principle Officer... as far as I know......

bohsboy

In the Prison Service myself. The term "kickers" is surprising as very little if any "kicking" goes on in any Irish jail at the moment.

C&R is used in any violent situation and is very effective. There are plenty of opportunities to train to further enhanced stages of C&R. However, the main problems with the Irish Prison Service is of course funding and what it is spent on. For a long time, the majority of funding was spent on overtime bills but these are slowly coming down now. However, conditions within certain jails are horrendous with understaffing and overcrowding the problems.

It may be tough for junior guys to move up the ladder quick but if you keep with an eager attitude you will progress swiftly.

PM me for any questions regarding interviews, etc.

Regards.