THOUSANDS of prison officers staged a national strike over pay today, plunging the service into a fresh state of crisis.

The walk-out by warders across England and Wales took the Government and Prison Service officials by complete surprise and led to picket lines being mounted outside jails across the country.

The action is illegal and could lead to the Prison Officers' Association being taken to court by the Government later today.

The union had its right to take industrial action taken away by the Conservative Government in 1993 and even if it could strike it would have to give seven days' notice before any action.

The union's executive decided yesterday to launch the 24-hour stoppage from 7am this morning but officials warned that the strike could continue indefinitely until the dispute is resolved.

Union officials said they expected that prisoners would be kept locked up in jails while governors decide what action to take next.

Dispute

The dispute has been brewing for months after POA members voted by almost 9-1 in favour of strikes in protest at this year's pay award.

An independent pay review body recommended a 2.5% pay rise but the Government decided this should be made in two stages of 1.5% in April and 1% in October, which reduced the value of the award.

The POA said this was the last straw for prison officers already suffering low morale because of rocketing prison numbers and daily attacks staff in prisons.

Colin Moses, the union's chairman, said: "The morale of staff is at rock bottom and the decision of the Government to stage the pay award was the straw that broke the camel's back.

"This union is carrying out the rights of its members and the right of every worker to withdraw their labour."

Brian Caton, the union's general secretary, said: "This Government has failed to deliver promise after promise to our union and today it is reaping all that it has sown.

"It is unforgivable that a Labour Government should treat public services and workers with such disdain.

"POA members are dealing with the people society can no longer cope with. They are working in ever more dangerous and violent environments, with assaults on staff increasing to an average of eight per day.

"Yet the Government continues to demand more and more savings from the Prison Service at the expense of staff."

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