G4S set to launch bid to run Irish prisons

national | crime and justice | news report Saturday July 04, 2009 20:41 by Michael James S - BBC

Private security firm to launch bid for contract to run Irish prisons

It has emerged that Group 4 Security [G4S] a worldwide provider of private security and risk management services is be set to launch a bid to provide prison custody services equivalent to that of services already provided by officers of the Irish prison service at some Irish prison and detention centres. The global security corporation already operates a number of prisons and youth detention centers throughout the world especially in the UK. In the UK the firm provides detention services at a number of high profile London police stations.

There G4S police custody officers provide services similar to that of police officers including but not limited to photographing, fingerprinting, processing, feeding, restraining and the use of force against dangerous persons in custody.

In the united states many of these officers have police powers and worldwide they operate alongside customs and excise officers, immigration officers etc at nations borders.

In Kosovo as well as other recovering war torn states G4S personnel provide private military contracting services. In Australia G4S prisoner transport staff have been blamed for not providing adequate care for an ageing detained aboriginal gentleman. In Ireland G4S have for the past few years provided security services for the Irish courts service and are reponsible for the detention of individuals held in contempt of court by a judge as well as providing banking, corporate and cash in transit services.