Screws fear inmate threats after data loss (From Your Local Guardian)

Screws fear inmate threats after data loss

8:27am Thursday 11th September 2008 in Top Stories By Guardian reporter

Prison officers in Wandsworth fear they could be blackmailed by criminals after it was revealed details of some 5,000 justice system employees were lost by a computer firm.

Jack Straw, the Home Secretary has ordered an inquiry into the loss of a computer containing the details of up employees of the justice system - which happened over a year ago, in July 2007.

The details of employees of the National Offender Management Service in England and Wales, including prison staff, were lost by private firm EDS.

Jim Shaw, branch chairman of the Prison Officers’ Association (POA), said the revelation was worrying.

“At the moment we don’t know who’s details and what details are on there, but a number of my members are very worried,” he said.

“We want a full, high level, investigation.”

He said the investigation needed to answer why EDS had the information and what it was doing with it, adding officers could be at risk.

“MPs were worried about people having their addresses when the John Lewis lists were published, and that was just their constituents,” he said.

“We have to lock up criminals. Officers could be left open to blackmail and threats.”

The POA’s national chairman sad the loss could end up costing taxpayers millions.

Colin Moses said: “We are extremely concerned that not only has this data been lost, but that the Prison Service appear to have tried to conceal this serious breach in security.

“It is a breach that we believe could ultimately cost the taxpayer millions and millions of pounds, because, if the information lost is personal and sensitive, it may well mean staff having to move prisons, move homes and relocate their families.”