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23/02/2009
Prison Suicide Report Gets Assembly Discussion
Sinn Féin MLA's Raymond McCartney and Martina Anderson will present a motion at the Stormont Assembly today calling for the full implementations of the recommendations of the report made by the Prison Ombudsman into the death of prisoner Colin Bell in Maghaberry Prison.
Mr McCartney said: "This report from the Prison Ombudsman came about following the tragic death of Colin Bell in Maghaberry Prison.
"The findings highlighted misconduct and failure to do the duty that prison staff and their bosses are charged with.
"The series of events that failed Colin Bell, and continue to fail other prisoners, is a glaring example of how we need to push forward on this issue and deliver basic human rights within our prisons," he said.
"Sinn Féin have been raising the issue of self-harm and suicide for may years yet the Prison Service and the NIO have been extremely slow to act.
"The purpose of the motion that we have brought forward is to place the relevant pressure on the NIO and the Prison Service to ensure that the far reaching recommendations are acted upon.
"We are very sensitive to the hurt caused to the Bell family and would like to ensure that no other family will have to endure the suffering and the searching for answers that the Bell family have had to go through," he said.
NI Prison Ombudsman Pauline McCabe has made a total of 44 recommendations following the death of Colin Bell last August, including scrutiny of the roles of Governor Alan Longwell and his deputy, Steve Davis.
Colin Bell, who was serving a life sentence for murder, hanged himself at the fourth attempt while staff who were supposed to be monitoring him slept.
The 34-year-old was on critical suicide watch and was supposed to be monitored every 15 minutes, but staff failed to do so.
See: Prison Suicide Shock As Warders Slept Or Drank Tea
(BMcC/JM)
Mr McCartney said: "This report from the Prison Ombudsman came about following the tragic death of Colin Bell in Maghaberry Prison.
"The findings highlighted misconduct and failure to do the duty that prison staff and their bosses are charged with.
"The series of events that failed Colin Bell, and continue to fail other prisoners, is a glaring example of how we need to push forward on this issue and deliver basic human rights within our prisons," he said.
"Sinn Féin have been raising the issue of self-harm and suicide for may years yet the Prison Service and the NIO have been extremely slow to act.
"The purpose of the motion that we have brought forward is to place the relevant pressure on the NIO and the Prison Service to ensure that the far reaching recommendations are acted upon.
"We are very sensitive to the hurt caused to the Bell family and would like to ensure that no other family will have to endure the suffering and the searching for answers that the Bell family have had to go through," he said.
NI Prison Ombudsman Pauline McCabe has made a total of 44 recommendations following the death of Colin Bell last August, including scrutiny of the roles of Governor Alan Longwell and his deputy, Steve Davis.
Colin Bell, who was serving a life sentence for murder, hanged himself at the fourth attempt while staff who were supposed to be monitoring him slept.
The 34-year-old was on critical suicide watch and was supposed to be monitored every 15 minutes, but staff failed to do so.
See: Prison Suicide Shock As Warders Slept Or Drank Tea
(BMcC/JM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
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09 January 2009
Prison Suicide Shock As Warders Slept Or Drank Tea
The suicide of an at-risk inmate at Maghaberry jail has led to an investigation, which this week concluded, by publishing recommendations for a disciplinary investigation into the role of two senior staff.
Prison Suicide Shock As Warders Slept Or Drank Tea
The suicide of an at-risk inmate at Maghaberry jail has led to an investigation, which this week concluded, by publishing recommendations for a disciplinary investigation into the role of two senior staff.
15 September 2008
Prison Suicide Watch Fails - Again
A killer who failed in two previous suicide bids managed to kill himself on the third attempt, despite being under special guard. As a result, a prison officer at Maghaberry jail has been suspended after Colin Bell - who was under 24-hour suicide watch - was found hanging in his cell.
Prison Suicide Watch Fails - Again
A killer who failed in two previous suicide bids managed to kill himself on the third attempt, despite being under special guard. As a result, a prison officer at Maghaberry jail has been suspended after Colin Bell - who was under 24-hour suicide watch - was found hanging in his cell.
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 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.
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