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18/06/2010
Prison Boss 'Signs Out'
Robin Masefield has announced that he intends to step down from his post as Director General of the Northern Ireland Prison Service before the end of this year.
After he advised Justice Minister David Ford of his decision, Mr Masefield said: "I had originally 'signed up' for five years from my appointment in December 2004, but was pleased to stay on to cover the transition at devolution.
"It has been a privilege to serve in this capacity and while it has been challenging and demanding, it has also been rewarding.
"I look forward to continuing to serve with the Prison Service for the remainder of this period, as there remains much important work to be don," he said.
The post will be filled by open competition and the Department of Justice will announce details in relation to same in due course.
The moves comes against a background of a series of controversies which have afflicted the high security Maghaberry prison.
The most critical focused on the death of 34-year-old convicted murderer Colin Bell, who hanged himself in Maghaberry jail in 2008 despite being on 24-hour watch.
Investigators found that wardens who were supposed to be checking the high-risk inmate were lying on beds watching TV.
But only weeks after new governor Steve Rodford took charge another prisoner killed himself inside Maghaberry.
Four prison medics were suspended from duty following a probe into the suicide of convicted sex offender John Anthony Deery, 50, who hanged himself in August 2009.
Then Mr Rodford, who was tasked with reforming the regime and improving prisoner monitoring inside Maghaberry, left his post after only five months in office over fears that he would be targeted by dissident republicans.
On top of those problems, Maghaberry has been severely criticised in recent times by dissident republican prisoners who claim mistreatment inside.
See: Prison Move May Follow End Of Hunger Strike
(BMcC/GK)
After he advised Justice Minister David Ford of his decision, Mr Masefield said: "I had originally 'signed up' for five years from my appointment in December 2004, but was pleased to stay on to cover the transition at devolution.
"It has been a privilege to serve in this capacity and while it has been challenging and demanding, it has also been rewarding.
"I look forward to continuing to serve with the Prison Service for the remainder of this period, as there remains much important work to be don," he said.
The post will be filled by open competition and the Department of Justice will announce details in relation to same in due course.
The moves comes against a background of a series of controversies which have afflicted the high security Maghaberry prison.
The most critical focused on the death of 34-year-old convicted murderer Colin Bell, who hanged himself in Maghaberry jail in 2008 despite being on 24-hour watch.
Investigators found that wardens who were supposed to be checking the high-risk inmate were lying on beds watching TV.
But only weeks after new governor Steve Rodford took charge another prisoner killed himself inside Maghaberry.
Four prison medics were suspended from duty following a probe into the suicide of convicted sex offender John Anthony Deery, 50, who hanged himself in August 2009.
Then Mr Rodford, who was tasked with reforming the regime and improving prisoner monitoring inside Maghaberry, left his post after only five months in office over fears that he would be targeted by dissident republicans.
On top of those problems, Maghaberry has been severely criticised in recent times by dissident republican prisoners who claim mistreatment inside.
See: Prison Move May Follow End Of Hunger Strike
(BMcC/GK)
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31 August 2021
53-Year-Old Dies In Custody At Maghaberry Prison
A 53-year-old has reportedly died in custody at Maghaberry Prison, the Northern Ireland Prison Service has announced. The Department of Justice has reported that the prisoner died on Saturday 28 August, that his next of kin have been informed and that the death was not covid related.
53-Year-Old Dies In Custody At Maghaberry Prison
A 53-year-old has reportedly died in custody at Maghaberry Prison, the Northern Ireland Prison Service has announced. The Department of Justice has reported that the prisoner died on Saturday 28 August, that his next of kin have been informed and that the death was not covid related.
31 August 2018
Man Dies In Maghaberry Prison
A 22-year-old man has died while in custody at Maghaberry Prison, the Northern Ireland Prison Service has reported. The Department of Justice has confirmed that the man died in custody on the morning of Thursday, 30 August. The man's next of kin have been informed. The PSNI, Coroner and Prisoner Ombudsman have been informed about the death.
Man Dies In Maghaberry Prison
A 22-year-old man has died while in custody at Maghaberry Prison, the Northern Ireland Prison Service has reported. The Department of Justice has confirmed that the man died in custody on the morning of Thursday, 30 August. The man's next of kin have been informed. The PSNI, Coroner and Prisoner Ombudsman have been informed about the death.
14 September 2016
Staff At Maghaberry Prison Watched As Prisoner Self-Harmed
Staff at Maghaberry Prison in Lisburn have been criticised after they failed to intervene while a prisoner blinded himself, according to a Prison Ombudsman report. Sean Lynch, 23, was being detained at the prison in June 2014 and inflicted "extreme and shocking" injuries through self-harm over a three day period.
Staff At Maghaberry Prison Watched As Prisoner Self-Harmed
Staff at Maghaberry Prison in Lisburn have been criticised after they failed to intervene while a prisoner blinded himself, according to a Prison Ombudsman report. Sean Lynch, 23, was being detained at the prison in June 2014 and inflicted "extreme and shocking" injuries through self-harm over a three day period.
23 February 2009
Prison Suicide Report Gets Assembly Discussion
Sinn Féin MLA's Raymond McCartney and Martina Anderson will present a motion at the Stormont Assembly today calling for the full implementations of the recommendations of the report made by the Prison Ombudsman into the death of prisoner Colin Bell in Maghaberry Prison.
Prison Suicide Report Gets Assembly Discussion
Sinn Féin MLA's Raymond McCartney and Martina Anderson will present a motion at the Stormont Assembly today calling for the full implementations of the recommendations of the report made by the Prison Ombudsman into the death of prisoner Colin Bell in Maghaberry Prison.
28 June 2010
Republican Hunger Striker 'Rewarded'
Lobbying on behalf of a dissident republican who ended a 42-day hunger strike last month has paid off - with his 'demands' being met. But the news that Liam Hannaway - who is a relative of Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams - had been moved to the mainstream prison at the high security Maghaberry prison is being kept very low key.
Republican Hunger Striker 'Rewarded'
Lobbying on behalf of a dissident republican who ended a 42-day hunger strike last month has paid off - with his 'demands' being met. But the news that Liam Hannaway - who is a relative of Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams - had been moved to the mainstream prison at the high security Maghaberry prison is being kept very low key.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Cloudy and patchy light rain will slowly clear away this evening. Then the rest of the night will be dry with broken cloud. Westerly winds freshening in the early hours. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
