Pubdate: Tue, 12 Oct 1999 Source: Independent, The (UK) Copyright: 1999 Independent Newspapers (UK) Ltd. Contact: 1 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5DL Website: http://www.independent.co.uk/ UNION ATTACKS `EXTREME' PRISONS INSPECTOR Prison officers have launched a scathing attack on the Chief Inspector of Prisons, accusing him of making "extreme" comments which undermine the morale of the entire Prison Service. The attack by the Prison Officers' Association on Sir David Ramsbotham follows a series of damning prison inspection reports accusing staff of "militancy", "out-dated" attitudes and contributing to "evil" regimes. Prison staff are reeling from allegations of officer brutality at at least four prisons, including Wormwood Scrubs in London where 27 officers are facing criminal charges for alleged assaults. Mark Healy, the chairman of the association, which with nearly 30,000 members represents the great majority of uniformed prison staff, said Sir David should "stop kicking those who are attempting, in very trying conditions, to deliver a good service". Writing in Gatelodge, the association's magazine, Mr Healy said: "[Sir David] doesn't seem to realise the damage he is doing to the morale of our members and for that matter every other person who works for this agency." Mr Healy saidthe chief inspector deliberately uses "extreme language", like the word "evil", in the knowledge that it will be seized on by media reports of prison inspections. Mr Healy wrote: "He hasn't got a grasp of trade unionism and that is probably because of his social and military background." The association is especially angry at an attack by the chief inspector earlier this year on what he described as the "militant and obdurate association committee" at Exeter prison. Mr Healy, who said he cannot recall the Exeter officers taking any form of industrial action, said: "The chief inspector should concentrate on the real issues: lack of staff, too many prisoners, insufficient funds and in many cases poor management." The association has also warned the Home Secretary, Jack Straw, and the director-general of the Prison Service, Martin Narey, that attempts to recruit more officers from ethnic minorities may backfire unless greater steps are made to eradicate racism in the service. Tom Appadoo, of the association's race relations committee, said: "More black staff is not the answer on its own." - --- MAP posted-by: Derek Rea