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Court order against prison strike Court order against prison strike
(10 minutes later)
The Ministry of Justice has been granted a High Court injunction against a national strike by thousands of prison officers protesting over pay.The Ministry of Justice has been granted a High Court injunction against a national strike by thousands of prison officers protesting over pay.
The surprise walkout, intended to be for at least 24 hours, by members of the Prison Officers' Association in England and Wales began at 0700 BST.The surprise walkout, intended to be for at least 24 hours, by members of the Prison Officers' Association in England and Wales began at 0700 BST.
The action came after it pulled out of a no-strike agreement with government.The action came after it pulled out of a no-strike agreement with government.
Officers outside prisons have indicated that they would continue striking until Thursday morning despite the order.Officers outside prisons have indicated that they would continue striking until Thursday morning despite the order.
A formal response to the injunction from the POA's national executive council is expected later.A formal response to the injunction from the POA's national executive council is expected later.
'Widespread' action
Earlier this year the independent pay review body for prisons recommended to ministers salaries ranging from £12,000 for auxillary staff to almost £32,000 for principal officers.Earlier this year the independent pay review body for prisons recommended to ministers salaries ranging from £12,000 for auxillary staff to almost £32,000 for principal officers.
Most prison officers start on around £17,700.Most prison officers start on around £17,700.
The POA, which has 28,000 members, said up to 90% of those who had been due on duty had joined the strike.The POA, which has 28,000 members, said up to 90% of those who had been due on duty had joined the strike.
It said the walkout had been "widespread and unprecedented" and there was "lockdown" - where prisoners are confined to their cells - at most prisons.It said the walkout had been "widespread and unprecedented" and there was "lockdown" - where prisoners are confined to their cells - at most prisons.
Affected prisons include:Affected prisons include:
  • Liverpool prison where about 25-30 striking officers temporarily suspend their action to deal with three prisoners who had climbed on to a roof
  • Birmingham prison where a mass outdoor meeting has taken place; all 1,450 prisoners are locked down, and fire engines attended to deal with two minor fires, one inside a cell and a rubbish fire outside
  • Bristol prison where more than 120 officers joined a picket line after serving breakfast to inmates
  • Wormwood Scrubs in west London, where the 1,300 prisoners are being looked after by eight governors
  • Manchester Prison - formerly known as Strangeways - where plans are in place to serve packed lunches and dinners to inmates in their cells
  • Cardiff prison where inmates locked in their cells have taunted a picket line in the car park with shouts of "You're breaking the law"
  • Dartmoor, Exeter and Channings Wood prisons in south-west England
  • Wakefield prison, where POA officials claimed the 745 inmates - including Soham killer Ian Huntley - were being guarded by no more than 20 senior managers
  • Frankland high-security prison, County Durham, where a handful of striking officers volunteered to go back to work because of the danger posed by inmates
  • Wellingborough Prison in Northamptonshire where the site is being run by the governor and other civilian staff
  • Liverpool prison where about 25-30 striking officers temporarily suspend their action to deal with three prisoners who had climbed on to a roof
  • Birmingham prison where a mass outdoor meeting has taken place; all 1,450 prisoners are locked down, and fire engines attended to deal with two minor fires, one inside a cell and a rubbish fire outside
  • Bristol prison where more than 120 officers joined a picket line after serving breakfast to inmates
  • Wormwood Scrubs in west London, where the 1,300 prisoners are being looked after by eight governors
  • Manchester Prison - formerly known as Strangeways - where plans are in place to serve packed lunches and dinners to inmates in their cells
  • Cardiff prison where inmates locked in their cells have taunted a picket line in the car park with shouts of "You're breaking the law"
  • Dartmoor, Exeter and Channings Wood prisons in south-west England
  • Wakefield prison, where POA officials claimed the 745 inmates - including Soham killer Ian Huntley - were being guarded by no more than 20 senior managers
  • Frankland high-security prison, County Durham, where a handful of striking officers volunteered to go back to work because of the danger posed by inmates
  • Wellingborough Prison in Northamptonshire where the site is being run by the governor and other civilian staff
The Association of Chief Police Officers said police cells were being used for any inmates who could not return to their normal prison after court and for newly sentenced prisoners.
'Overwhelming case''Overwhelming case'
Union officials had warned the strike could continue indefinitely until the dispute was resolved.Union officials had warned the strike could continue indefinitely until the dispute was resolved.
The judge Mr Justice Ramsey said there was an "overwhelming case" that a legally binding agreement had been broken.The judge Mr Justice Ramsey said there was an "overwhelming case" that a legally binding agreement had been broken.
The administration of the prison service as part of the administration of justice in the country requires the grant of the injunction Mr Justice Ramsey Q&A: Prison officer strike Prisoner found deadThe administration of the prison service as part of the administration of justice in the country requires the grant of the injunction Mr Justice Ramsey Q&A: Prison officer strike Prisoner found dead
Lawyers for the Ministry of Justice told the High Court the strike had meant there was a backlog of 900 people waiting to be transferred to prisons.Lawyers for the Ministry of Justice told the High Court the strike had meant there was a backlog of 900 people waiting to be transferred to prisons.
The hearing was also told a prisoner had been found dead in a cell.The hearing was also told a prisoner had been found dead in a cell.
A government lawyer said he was not making a link between the strike and the death but it was of real concern.A government lawyer said he was not making a link between the strike and the death but it was of real concern.
Staff at the category-C Acklington prison in Northumberland later said they did not believe the death was connected to the strike.Staff at the category-C Acklington prison in Northumberland later said they did not believe the death was connected to the strike.
The Prison Service named the inmate as William Stuart Laidlaw and said he was found hanging in his cell at 0930 BST.The Prison Service named the inmate as William Stuart Laidlaw and said he was found hanging in his cell at 0930 BST.
Mr Justice Ramsey said the effect of any strike would have "particularly difficult consequences" to prisons already filled to capacity.Mr Justice Ramsey said the effect of any strike would have "particularly difficult consequences" to prisons already filled to capacity.
"Given the current position in the prisons, it is clear in my view that this is an appropriate case where the administration of the prison service as part of the administration of justice in the country requires the grant of the injunction," he said.
Are you a prison officer affected by this story? What do you think about the injunction? Send us your experiences using the form below. 		"Given the current position in the prisons, it is clear in my view that this is an appropriate case where the administration of the prison service as part of the administration of justice in the country requires the grant of the injunction," he said.
Are you a prison officer affected by this story? What do you think about the injunction? Send us your experiences using the form below.
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