Non-custodial sentences urged for minor crimes

A report by Maghaberry's Board of Visitors has recommended that fine defaulters should not be sent to prison.

In their annual report, the board voiced their concerns that it may not be the best use of resources to hold lower category prisoners – such as fine defaulters – in such a high security environment. The report also singled out asylum seekers as another group which should have separate provision made for them.

The board said: "The sending of fine defaulters and immigration detainees to prison is not a proper use of the resources of the Prison Service and that alternative solutions should be sought.

"In particular immigration detainees have a different set of needs which need to be addressed by those with particular skills and knowledge."

The board expressed its desire for immigration detainees to be held in alternative accommodation, as in the rest of the UK. However, the reported noted that the Immigration Service position is "that it would be impracticable and uneconomic to procure or operate a detention facility in Northern Ireland".

The report added: "There are as a consequence no plans to establish such a facility. However detainees are given the option of being held in detention in GB, as an alternative. It has been recognised that staff working with detainees have made significant efforts to meet their needs."

Authorities have been moving away from custodial sentences for minor offences as the prison population swells to an all-time high. The Home Office analysis in May revealed that the total prison population for England and Wales stood at 71,110 – up 8% on last year.

Many liberal commentators have argued that prisoners serving less than six months are not able to make use of rehabilitation programmes available in prisons.

The Home Office favours a shake up in sentencing and last year's Hillary Report on sentencing framework in England and Wales recommended that if sentences of 12 months or more do not fit the crime, "sentencers would consider whether a non-custodial sentence would meet the needs of crime reduction, punishment and reparation".

Each of the prisons in Northern Ireland – Magilligan, Maghaberry, and Hydebank – have a Board of Visitors composed of unpaid volunteers drawn from the general public who act as independent observers. The Board is required to examine the treatment of prisoners, the state of the prison premises and the facilities available to prisoners. The board also consider requests and complaints made by prisoners, and advise on any recommendations they make.

The board noted its approval of the review being undertaken by management at Maghaberry prison into accrediting prisoner programmes and implementing benchmark standards.

(GMcG)