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18/06/2010
Prison Boss 'Signs Out'
Robin Masefield has announced that he intends to step down from his post as Director General of the Northern Ireland Prison Service before the end of this year.
After he advised Justice Minister David Ford of his decision, Mr Masefield said: "I had originally 'signed up' for five years from my appointment in December 2004, but was pleased to stay on to cover the transition at devolution.
"It has been a privilege to serve in this capacity and while it has been challenging and demanding, it has also been rewarding.
"I look forward to continuing to serve with the Prison Service for the remainder of this period, as there remains much important work to be don," he said.
The post will be filled by open competition and the Department of Justice will announce details in relation to same in due course.
The moves comes against a background of a series of controversies which have afflicted the high security Maghaberry prison.
The most critical focused on the death of 34-year-old convicted murderer Colin Bell, who hanged himself in Maghaberry jail in 2008 despite being on 24-hour watch.
Investigators found that wardens who were supposed to be checking the high-risk inmate were lying on beds watching TV.
But only weeks after new governor Steve Rodford took charge another prisoner killed himself inside Maghaberry.
Four prison medics were suspended from duty following a probe into the suicide of convicted sex offender John Anthony Deery, 50, who hanged himself in August 2009.
Then Mr Rodford, who was tasked with reforming the regime and improving prisoner monitoring inside Maghaberry, left his post after only five months in office over fears that he would be targeted by dissident republicans.
On top of those problems, Maghaberry has been severely criticised in recent times by dissident republican prisoners who claim mistreatment inside.
See: Prison Move May Follow End Of Hunger Strike
(BMcC/GK)
After he advised Justice Minister David Ford of his decision, Mr Masefield said: "I had originally 'signed up' for five years from my appointment in December 2004, but was pleased to stay on to cover the transition at devolution.
"It has been a privilege to serve in this capacity and while it has been challenging and demanding, it has also been rewarding.
"I look forward to continuing to serve with the Prison Service for the remainder of this period, as there remains much important work to be don," he said.
The post will be filled by open competition and the Department of Justice will announce details in relation to same in due course.
The moves comes against a background of a series of controversies which have afflicted the high security Maghaberry prison.
The most critical focused on the death of 34-year-old convicted murderer Colin Bell, who hanged himself in Maghaberry jail in 2008 despite being on 24-hour watch.
Investigators found that wardens who were supposed to be checking the high-risk inmate were lying on beds watching TV.
But only weeks after new governor Steve Rodford took charge another prisoner killed himself inside Maghaberry.
Four prison medics were suspended from duty following a probe into the suicide of convicted sex offender John Anthony Deery, 50, who hanged himself in August 2009.
Then Mr Rodford, who was tasked with reforming the regime and improving prisoner monitoring inside Maghaberry, left his post after only five months in office over fears that he would be targeted by dissident republicans.
On top of those problems, Maghaberry has been severely criticised in recent times by dissident republican prisoners who claim mistreatment inside.
See: Prison Move May Follow End Of Hunger Strike
(BMcC/GK)
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