Menu
12/12/2007
MPs Urge End Of Segregation As New NI Gaol Is Planned
Rival paramilitary factions should not be housed in separate prison wings any longer.
Members of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee at Westminster have acknowledged that, while a certain degree of controlled movement was still needed, the current segregated regime was hampering education and recreation opportunities for some prisoners.
The committee also said the government must take immediate action to improve prison buildings which are in a bad state of repair.
While an announcement on a new £200m jail is expected next week, the MPs are set to back plans for a completely new gaol to be located near the existing facility at Magilligan, near Coleraine.
They said that rebuilding on the site would "capitalise on the accumulated experience and many areas of good practice there".
Another kind of 'segregation' has however been given the thumbs up, with the MPs seeking a prison solely for women too, and adding that "further investment in short-term solutions at the shared Hydebank Wood site – near Belfast - is not an adequate response to this issue".
Welcoming the report, NIO Prisons Minister, Paul Goggins said a review of services for female offenders was already underway with a report due next summer.
"I thank the committee sincerely for their efforts in producing this report - I will give it due consideration and make a full response within the next two months," he said.
The committee also made a number of additional recommendations and welcomed the transfer of responsibility for prison healthcare to the health service, and urged the government and MLAs to ensure this process is completed soon.
The committee also said that the high proportion of remand prisoners "represents another unjustifiable burden" and called for a review of why the criminal justice process is so slow in Northern Ireland.
(BMcC/KMcA)
Members of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee at Westminster have acknowledged that, while a certain degree of controlled movement was still needed, the current segregated regime was hampering education and recreation opportunities for some prisoners.
The committee also said the government must take immediate action to improve prison buildings which are in a bad state of repair.
While an announcement on a new £200m jail is expected next week, the MPs are set to back plans for a completely new gaol to be located near the existing facility at Magilligan, near Coleraine.
They said that rebuilding on the site would "capitalise on the accumulated experience and many areas of good practice there".
Another kind of 'segregation' has however been given the thumbs up, with the MPs seeking a prison solely for women too, and adding that "further investment in short-term solutions at the shared Hydebank Wood site – near Belfast - is not an adequate response to this issue".
Welcoming the report, NIO Prisons Minister, Paul Goggins said a review of services for female offenders was already underway with a report due next summer.
"I thank the committee sincerely for their efforts in producing this report - I will give it due consideration and make a full response within the next two months," he said.
The committee also made a number of additional recommendations and welcomed the transfer of responsibility for prison healthcare to the health service, and urged the government and MLAs to ensure this process is completed soon.
The committee also said that the high proportion of remand prisoners "represents another unjustifiable burden" and called for a review of why the criminal justice process is so slow in Northern Ireland.
(BMcC/KMcA)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
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.
31 August 2018
Man Dies In Maghaberry Prison
A 22-year-old man has died while in custody at Maghaberry Prison, the Northern Ireland Prison Service has reported. The Department of Justice has confirmed that the man died in custody on the morning of Thursday, 30 August. The man's next of kin have been informed. The PSNI, Coroner and Prisoner Ombudsman have been informed about the death.
Man Dies In Maghaberry Prison
A 22-year-old man has died while in custody at Maghaberry Prison, the Northern Ireland Prison Service has reported. The Department of Justice has confirmed that the man died in custody on the morning of Thursday, 30 August. The man's next of kin have been informed. The PSNI, Coroner and Prisoner Ombudsman have been informed about the death.
14 September 2016
Staff At Maghaberry Prison Watched As Prisoner Self-Harmed
Staff at Maghaberry Prison in Lisburn have been criticised after they failed to intervene while a prisoner blinded himself, according to a Prison Ombudsman report. Sean Lynch, 23, was being detained at the prison in June 2014 and inflicted "extreme and shocking" injuries through self-harm over a three day period.
Staff At Maghaberry Prison Watched As Prisoner Self-Harmed
Staff at Maghaberry Prison in Lisburn have been criticised after they failed to intervene while a prisoner blinded himself, according to a Prison Ombudsman report. Sean Lynch, 23, was being detained at the prison in June 2014 and inflicted "extreme and shocking" injuries through self-harm over a three day period.
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.
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.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A cloudy day with a little light rain or drizzle at times, but some spells of drier weather too. The north coast may become somewhat brighter later this afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Cloudy and patchy light rain will slowly clear away this evening. Then the rest of the night will be dry with broken cloud. Westerly winds freshening in the early hours. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
