Group 4 Security May Bid Contract For Irish Prisons

national | crime and justice | news report Thursday July 02, 2009 02:06 by michael james smith - bbc

private security firm may bid for irish prison contracts under new eu law

It has emerged that Group 4 Security [g4s] a worldwide provider of private security and risk management services may 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. 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 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 provide 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.