TWO prison officers sacked when they fell asleep guarding an inmate may appeal the decision.

The pair were said to have been caught snoozing at Medway Maritime Hospital while guarding an inmate from Rochester Prison. The incident happened earlier this year but it now appears the Prison Officers Association (POA) is set to appeal against the sackings.

POA representative Pete McParlin said: “We would never condone staff deliberately sleeping on duty, but there may be mitigating reasons. It will be subject to an appeal.”