Exclusive

Prison officers told to stop writing security details on walls and allowing inmates to use their phones

Internal investigation launched and warning issued to all staff to get them to halt practices immediately

The unprecedented series of warnings were sent out by the IPS this week in response to disclosures made by prison officers seeking promotion to the rank of Assistant Chief Office. Picture: Getty

The Irish Prison Service has warned all prison officers to halt a range of unauthorised practices, including publicising prison door key numbers and allowing prisoners to use their phones, that could “compromise security”.

Prison officers are given keys with code numbers to prevent prisoners from knowing which prison security gate they will open. However, some officers have been putting key numbers on the walls beside security gates, or on the gates themselves, to make it ...