Prison officers' leaders have held "constructive" talks with the Government in a bid to resolve the bitter row over pay which led to a wildcat strike in jails across England and Wales.
Leaders of the Prison Officers' Association (POA) met Justice Secretary Jack Straw and prison service officials for several hours in London to try to break the deadlocked row.
Around 20,000 prison officers went on strike on Wednesday in protest at the Government's controversial decision to pay a 2.5% wage rise in two stages.
The union has also been warning of an increase in assaults against staff as well as other problems linked to the rising prison population.
A joint statement by the POA and the Ministry of Justice said: "We have had some hours of constructive discussions. We will be meeting again in two weeks' time.
"The Justice Secretary, Jack Straw, emphasised to the POA that there can be no change in this year's pay settlement.
"The POA told him that they had no intention of further industrial action at this time but would continue to seek a resolution to the dispute."
