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20/09/2010
Ford 'Must Take Action In Maghaberry'
A Stormont Justice Committee member has warned Justice Minister David Ford that he must take control of the growing crisis in Maghaberry Prison following the stabbing of a prison officer.
Police are investigating after an inmate stabbed a prison officer in the neck with a pen.
A number of other prison officers suffered minor injuries in the attack, which happened shortly after 11am on Sunday.
The injured officer was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital, but his condition is not known at this stage.
This morning, the DUP's Lagan Valley MLA Paul Givan said: "There is a growing concern amongst the rank and file prison officers that security in Maghaberry is breaking down and that senior management in the NI Prison Service are failing to grasp the serious situation that has developed.
"Prison officers are on the front line and their role in implementing an effective and secure regime within the prison is being undermined by management, not least by the most recent agreement to relax restrictions on separated prisoners, putting at risk both prisoners and prison officers," he said.
"David Ford must take personal responsibility for the situation in Maghaberry and take firm action to address the problems that evidently exist."
Last night, the Prison Officers' Association said it showed how dangerous the job is: "This is part and parcel of a prison officer's job.
"This is a possibility that he faces every day in his working environment," the association's Finlay Spratt told BBC NI.
"It's not really appreciated the work prison officers do and the type of volatile people that we have to work with."
See: Maghaberry Prison Talks In Disarray
(BMcC/GK)
Police are investigating after an inmate stabbed a prison officer in the neck with a pen.
A number of other prison officers suffered minor injuries in the attack, which happened shortly after 11am on Sunday.
The injured officer was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital, but his condition is not known at this stage.
This morning, the DUP's Lagan Valley MLA Paul Givan said: "There is a growing concern amongst the rank and file prison officers that security in Maghaberry is breaking down and that senior management in the NI Prison Service are failing to grasp the serious situation that has developed.
"Prison officers are on the front line and their role in implementing an effective and secure regime within the prison is being undermined by management, not least by the most recent agreement to relax restrictions on separated prisoners, putting at risk both prisoners and prison officers," he said.
"David Ford must take personal responsibility for the situation in Maghaberry and take firm action to address the problems that evidently exist."
Last night, the Prison Officers' Association said it showed how dangerous the job is: "This is part and parcel of a prison officer's job.
"This is a possibility that he faces every day in his working environment," the association's Finlay Spratt told BBC NI.
"It's not really appreciated the work prison officers do and the type of volatile people that we have to work with."
See: Maghaberry Prison Talks In Disarray
(BMcC/GK)
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Chairman of Prison Officer’s Federation brands attackers as cowards
The Chairman of Prison Officers Federation has branded those responsible for an attack on a prison officer’s home as “cowards and scumbags”. The condemnation follows an attack on a prison officer’s home in north Belfast which resulted in the man’s wife undergoing surgery to remove shrapnel from her back.
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Retired Prison Officers Don't Reapply For Jobs
Over 5,000 people have applied for 200 custody officer jobs in Northern Ireland’s Prison Service- none of the applicants are the prison officers who are taking early retirement. This news follows pleas to the Justice Minister David Ford for a guarantee that retiring prison officers would not be eligible to apply for the new jobs.
Retired Prison Officers Don't Reapply For Jobs
Over 5,000 people have applied for 200 custody officer jobs in Northern Ireland’s Prison Service- none of the applicants are the prison officers who are taking early retirement. This news follows pleas to the Justice Minister David Ford for a guarantee that retiring prison officers would not be eligible to apply for the new jobs.
14 March 2017
Female Prison Officer Injured After Being Attacked At Magahberry Jail
A female prison officer has been injured after being attacked by a male inmate at Maghaberry Prison just outside Lisburn. A sharp weapon is believed to have been used. The officer was taken to hospital to be treated. A Prison Service spokesperson said: "A prison officer has suffered a serious injury following an assault by a prisoner in Maghaberry.
Female Prison Officer Injured After Being Attacked At Magahberry Jail
A female prison officer has been injured after being attacked by a male inmate at Maghaberry Prison just outside Lisburn. A sharp weapon is believed to have been used. The officer was taken to hospital to be treated. A Prison Service spokesperson said: "A prison officer has suffered a serious injury following an assault by a prisoner in Maghaberry.
25 April 2014
Prison Officer Released On Bail Over Drugs Offences
A prison officer has been released on bail after being arrested over drugs offences. The woman, reported to be 50-years-old, was arrested on suspicion of possessing and supplying Class A and B drugs at Maghaberry Prison. According to reports, it is understood she was detained on Monday, and released pending further enquiries.
Prison Officer Released On Bail Over Drugs Offences
A prison officer has been released on bail after being arrested over drugs offences. The woman, reported to be 50-years-old, was arrested on suspicion of possessing and supplying Class A and B drugs at Maghaberry Prison. According to reports, it is understood she was detained on Monday, and released pending further enquiries.
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.
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