THE Prison Service is facing a national crisis following threats of a walk-out by officers at Garth Prison in Ulnes Walton near Leyland.

Staff have warned of overcrowding which they believe could erupt into chaos at any moment, but despite their pleas more convicts are being sent there.

Andy Gossage of the regional branch of the Prison Officers Association, said: "More and more prisoners have been sent to Garth this week under the direct instructions of the Prison Service and Director General Jack Straw.

"We don't know how long it's going to be before there's disorder in our prisons but the way the Prisons Board is carrying on, it's going to be sooner than later."

On Tuesday officers at Garth were negotiating with bosses but Mr Gossage said it was impossible to reach a satisfactory agreement as there was no direct communication with the Prisons Board or minister.

He said: "The situation is still quite unstable and the staff at Garth are angry."

And he said that if the threatened walk-out takes place, it will affect prisons all over the country including Preston and Wymott, where the majority of officers are members of the Prison Officers Association.

A spokesperson for the prison Service said: "The rising prison population means all available accommodation must be utilised taking health and safety constrictions into account."

He said the population at Garth at the end of June was 523 and added: "Garth being a training prison, it won't have been subject to some of the overcrowding pressures like other local prisons in the area."

Mr Gossage said Garth was still taking in more prisoners but not in such great numbers as in previous weeks. He said negotiations were continuing.

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