Menu
18/06/2004
Prison Service urged to reconsider transfer plans for women prisoners
The Human Rights Commission today urged the Prison Service to abandon its plans to transfer women prisoners from Mourne House in Maghaberry Prison to Hydebank Wood Young Offenders Centre.
The Commission said it hoped that the Prison Service reconsidered its decision and called for a meeting to determine the long-term future of custody for women in the province. Commission’s grave concerns about the move are detailed in a research report on the transfer published today.
Following its 2002 visit to Maghaberry, the Prison Inspectorate, in a highly critical report, made many recommendations concerning women and girls in custody in Northern Ireland.
Recent research by The Human Rights Commission indicated that, far from implementing the Inspectorate’s recommendations, the regime at Mourne House "has been allowed to deteriorate still further, with all efforts channelled into the planned transfer".
One of the report’s authors, Professor Phil Scraton of the Queen’s University of Belfast, said: “No convincing case has been made for the transfer of women from Mourne House to Hydebank Wood. The Northern Ireland Prison Service has failed to provide the necessary safeguards for women prisoners in a male prison in the Mourne House context and has not demonstrated that it can meet them at Hydebank.
"While a reduction in security levels for women prisoners in Northern Ireland is long overdue, the designated house is adjacent to a house accommodating young men. There are profound implications in this decision for the women and girls and also for the boys and young men. We anticipate that women will face intimidation and harassment in this context.”
Women at Mourne House in Maghaberry, are currently housed in a “small self-contained unit, which is discrete accommodation housing up to 49 prisoners and is separate from Maghaberry male prison”.
The Commission's full report is available online at www.nihrc.org.
(MB)
The Commission said it hoped that the Prison Service reconsidered its decision and called for a meeting to determine the long-term future of custody for women in the province. Commission’s grave concerns about the move are detailed in a research report on the transfer published today.
Following its 2002 visit to Maghaberry, the Prison Inspectorate, in a highly critical report, made many recommendations concerning women and girls in custody in Northern Ireland.
Recent research by The Human Rights Commission indicated that, far from implementing the Inspectorate’s recommendations, the regime at Mourne House "has been allowed to deteriorate still further, with all efforts channelled into the planned transfer".
One of the report’s authors, Professor Phil Scraton of the Queen’s University of Belfast, said: “No convincing case has been made for the transfer of women from Mourne House to Hydebank Wood. The Northern Ireland Prison Service has failed to provide the necessary safeguards for women prisoners in a male prison in the Mourne House context and has not demonstrated that it can meet them at Hydebank.
"While a reduction in security levels for women prisoners in Northern Ireland is long overdue, the designated house is adjacent to a house accommodating young men. There are profound implications in this decision for the women and girls and also for the boys and young men. We anticipate that women will face intimidation and harassment in this context.”
Women at Mourne House in Maghaberry, are currently housed in a “small self-contained unit, which is discrete accommodation housing up to 49 prisoners and is separate from Maghaberry male prison”.
The Commission's full report is available online at www.nihrc.org.
(MB)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
12 December 2024
Five Arrested In Major Belfast Drug Bust
Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland's Organised Crime Branch have arrested five people in connection with a major drug trafficking operation. The arrests were made on Tuesday 10 and Wednesday 11 December following a series of raids in the Greater Belfast area.
Five Arrested In Major Belfast Drug Bust
Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland's Organised Crime Branch have arrested five people in connection with a major drug trafficking operation. The arrests were made on Tuesday 10 and Wednesday 11 December following a series of raids in the Greater Belfast area.
10 December 2024
Advice For Parents To Keep Children Well Over Winter
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has highlighted the steps parents and carers can take steps to ensure children and young people get the care they need by accessing the right service at the right time.
Advice For Parents To Keep Children Well Over Winter
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has highlighted the steps parents and carers can take steps to ensure children and young people get the care they need by accessing the right service at the right time.
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.
26 October 2009
Prison Arts Celebrated
Northern Ireland prisoners have won two first prizes and landed more than 29 awards in a prestigious UK-wide competition for prison arts. Artwork from Maghaberry and Hydebank Wood was among 150 original visual pieces on display at the annual Koestler Awards Exhibition which previewed at the Royal Festival Hall in London today.
Prison Arts Celebrated
Northern Ireland prisoners have won two first prizes and landed more than 29 awards in a prestigious UK-wide competition for prison arts. Artwork from Maghaberry and Hydebank Wood was among 150 original visual pieces on display at the annual Koestler Awards Exhibition which previewed at the Royal Festival Hall in London today.
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.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A largely cloudy day with occasional rain. Turning drier and brighter for a time in the afternoon and feeling very mild. Light southerly winds becoming strong with gales later along the County Down coast. Maximum temperature 13 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with outbreaks of rain, these heavy at times. Strong southerly winds, with gales in the evening across eastern counties, becoming westerly later. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
