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26/09/2018
Prisoner Complaints Drop By 55%
The number of complaints from prisoners at Northern Ireland's three main jails more than halved in the past year, according to new figures.
The Prison Ombudsman's office received 1,953 complaints, a 55% decrease on last year.
However all but 167 of the complaints were from separated prisoners on Roe 3 and 4 landings at Maghaberry prison.
Brendan McGuigan the Interim Prisoner Ombudsman said: "The independent investigation of complaints by the Office of the Prisoner Ombudsman can help instil in prisoners, greater confidence that their welfare is treated seriously. It can also help reduce tension and promote better relations. My staff are dedicated to the impartial and independent investigation of prisoner complaints and I would like to acknowledge the contribution of everyone in my office and the continued cooperation received from the agencies with whom we work."
He also expressed disappointment that the process for placing the Prisoner Ombudsman's office on a statutory footing, while it had progressed through the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Justice (No 2) Bill had received royal assent in May 2016, the underpinning Regulations could not be completed before dissolution of the Assembly on 26 January 2017.
(CD)
The Prison Ombudsman's office received 1,953 complaints, a 55% decrease on last year.
However all but 167 of the complaints were from separated prisoners on Roe 3 and 4 landings at Maghaberry prison.
Brendan McGuigan the Interim Prisoner Ombudsman said: "The independent investigation of complaints by the Office of the Prisoner Ombudsman can help instil in prisoners, greater confidence that their welfare is treated seriously. It can also help reduce tension and promote better relations. My staff are dedicated to the impartial and independent investigation of prisoner complaints and I would like to acknowledge the contribution of everyone in my office and the continued cooperation received from the agencies with whom we work."
He also expressed disappointment that the process for placing the Prisoner Ombudsman's office on a statutory footing, while it had progressed through the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Justice (No 2) Bill had received royal assent in May 2016, the underpinning Regulations could not be completed before dissolution of the Assembly on 26 January 2017.
(CD)
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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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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
