Unsafe parts of prison need replacing

The oldest parts of Northern Ireland's main prison, which was opened just 17 years ago at a cost of £40 million, are "unsafe and unsatisfactory" and should be replaced as soon as possible.

Her Majesty's Inspector of Prisons, Anne Owers, also suggested that the diverse prison population at Maghaberry Prison in County Antrim could better be served by a number of smaller establishments or by several discrete establishments contained on a large site.

Plans to develop the Northern Ireland prison estate should recognise the need for different types of prison "to provide opportunities for progressive moves for all prisoners, in particular lifers, and for effective resettlement work with low-risk prisoners," her report said.

"The older units in Maghaberry are unsafe and unsatisfactory and should be replaced as soon as possible".

The prison, opened to women in 1986 and men in 1987 and housing both convicted and remand prisoners, was "the most complex and diverse prison establishment in the UK" the report said.

The five day inspection last May showed how far the prison service in Northern Ireland had travelled in a very short time.

Many of the jail's officers had transferred on the closure of the notorious top security Maze Prison, where there was a diametrically different culture.

In the Maze there was virtually no interaction between the paramilitary inmates and staff, and the role of the prison officers was almost entirely of containment. Prison staff and their families had been targets for intimidation and violence.

That culture and experiences were "recent memories" for both staff and prisoners at Maghaberry.

Ms Owers reported: "The transition to a culture of positive engagement and trust, and a regime focusing on purposeful activity and resettlement was a major task for the prison and the Prison Service.

Most watched News videos