01/02/2013
Search Begins For New Prisoner Ombudsman
Pauline McCabe, Northern Ireland's Prisoner Ombudsman, will step down when her term in office comes to an end in May.
Mrs McCabe took up the post in September 2008, replacing Brian Coulter, who was the first person to hold the post when appointed in 2005.
Mrs McCabe's initial three-year appointment was subsequently extended for two years.
She is unable to seek reappointment and the process to find her replacement has already begun.
"It has been a privilege to do this job and to be part of influencing the much needed reforms in the prison service,” Mrs McCabe said.
"However there are still a number of important reports on deaths in custody pending and my final annual report in May which will provide a much fuller account of my time in office and a review of the work undertaken."
The Prisoner Ombudsman is appointed by the minister of justice for Northern Ireland and is completely independent of the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS).
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Mrs McCabe took up the post in September 2008, replacing Brian Coulter, who was the first person to hold the post when appointed in 2005.
Mrs McCabe's initial three-year appointment was subsequently extended for two years.
She is unable to seek reappointment and the process to find her replacement has already begun.
"It has been a privilege to do this job and to be part of influencing the much needed reforms in the prison service,” Mrs McCabe said.
"However there are still a number of important reports on deaths in custody pending and my final annual report in May which will provide a much fuller account of my time in office and a review of the work undertaken."
The Prisoner Ombudsman is appointed by the minister of justice for Northern Ireland and is completely independent of the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS).
(H)
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The governor of an NI young offender's and women's prison has been suspended. Gary Alcock was temporarily removed from his duties following concerns raised about the regime at Hydebank Wood by the prisoner ombudsman. It is believed the issues identified by Prisoner Ombudsman Pauline McCabe comes after concerns raised during an investigation.
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'Threat' Cell Note Probe Underway
A criminal inquiry has begun after a prison officer allegedly planted personal details about his governor on a note in a dissident republican suspect's cell.
23 June 2011
Death Shock As Prison Complaints Rise
A Londonderry man, who was due to appear in court today, has been found dead in his Maghaberry jail cell. The body of Patrick Gerald Duffy, 49 and from Nassau Street, was discovered just after midnight in the Co Antrim prison's Foyle House - where he was being held on remand.
Death Shock As Prison Complaints Rise
A Londonderry man, who was due to appear in court today, has been found dead in his Maghaberry jail cell. The body of Patrick Gerald Duffy, 49 and from Nassau Street, was discovered just after midnight in the Co Antrim prison's Foyle House - where he was being held on remand.
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Prison Suicide Shock As Warders Slept Or Drank Tea
The suicide of an at-risk inmate at Maghaberry jail has led to an investigation, which this week concluded, by publishing recommendations for a disciplinary investigation into the role of two senior staff.
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01 December 2004
Taoiseach tells Dáil of plan to release McCabe's killers
Four men jailed in connection with the killing of Garda Gerry McCabe will be freed on early release if there is a settlement agreed in the Northern Ireland political process. The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, told the Irish parliament today that he would recommend freeing the four men when a deal was reached in Northern Ireland.
Taoiseach tells Dáil of plan to release McCabe's killers
Four men jailed in connection with the killing of Garda Gerry McCabe will be freed on early release if there is a settlement agreed in the Northern Ireland political process. The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, told the Irish parliament today that he would recommend freeing the four men when a deal was reached in Northern Ireland.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.