Hydebank Wood Prison Praised For 'Model Of Excellence'

Justice Minister Naomi Long has hailed Hydebank Wood Secure College and Women's Prison as a "model of excellence and good practice" following the publication of two positive inspection reports.

Both the Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland and HM Inspector of Prisons in England and Wales have praised the facility, marking the first time a prison in Northern Ireland has achieved top marks.

Minister Long attributed the success to the hard work of the Prison Service and its partner agencies. She noted that the prison has undergone significant transformation in recent years, moving from a failing institution to a model of excellence.

Naomi Long said: "There is no doubt the exceptional work being done at Hydebank is transforming lives. Rehabilitation is working. Young men and women are choosing to turn their lives around through education and learning. Academic and practical skills in industry-focused subjects including catering and hospitality, barbering, horticulture and animal husbandry are helping them to find employment when they leave prison. Importantly also, re-offending rates are reducing, which again confirms these young men and women are turning away from a life of crime, making our communities a safer place to live." Minister Long added: "I want to thank the inspection teams, led by Jacqui Durkin and Charlie Taylor, for their work. Their independence is key in ensuring our prisons are held to account.

"Many people coming into prisons do so with hugely complex issues, addiction and mental health problems. We, as a society, should never underestimate the challenges our prisons face on a daily basis, to support and challenge those people to change their behaviours.

"Of course, with any report there will be learning, and the inspectors have explained where we can further improve."

Director General of the NI Prison Service Beverley Wall said: "At its heart, prisons are about people – those who work there, and those who reside there. Our staff are among the most dedicated and professional people working in the public sector.

"That is not often recognised on the outside. I am hugely grateful to the Inspection teams for recognising the 'excellent quality' of relationships between prisoners and staff in both parts of Hydebank."

Hydebank Governor, Richard Taylor said: "This has truly been a team effort by everyone at Hydebank. In particular, the partnership with Belfast Met has been transformational since we became a secure College almost ten years ago.

"Inspectors have reported that over 90% of the people in custody are involved in education, skills and work. In the last year we can also say that more than 600 certificates of achievement have been presented. People leaving Hydebank are doing so with qualifications and skills which they can use to help them find employment."