Menu
19/11/2010
Republican Protest 'Deal' Queried
A Stormont Justice Committee member has said figures revealed by the Department of Justice that almost £700,000 has been spent as a result of the agreement reached with dissident republicans in Maghaberry prison will be met with dismay by the public.
Paul Givan MLA said that responses by the Department of Justice revealed £550,000 will be spent that include a new search facility; aterations to provide alternative secure access to exercise yards; a secure link from the exercise yards to AstroTurf pitches; additional security for the AstroTurf pitches; refurbishment work, including painting and floor covering of staff and prisoner areas and replacement of all cell sanitary ware and cell doors damaged during the protest.
The DUP politician said that £75,000 spent to date on additional staff costs to implement new arrangements and £45,000 spent on cleaning Roe House during the protest brought the overall bill to around £700,000.
Commenting on the figures the Lagan Valley Assembly Member said: "My primary concern is for the safety of staff. During meetings I have had with the Prison Officers Association in Maghaberry, fears have been raised with me that the agreement reached with separated prisoners by the Department of Justice is putting the security of the prison in jeopardy.
"In Maghaberry there is now a two-tier system in place; one, which applies to the general prison population, and a different one for separated prisoners that is more relaxed and has rewarded non-confirming prisoners with greater benefits because of the protest that took place from Easter Tuesday until the 12th August 2010," the MLA continued.
"It seems that the prison management have failed to learn any lessons from the Maze prison where prisoners practically ran the place," he fumed, noting that the public "will rightly want to know why money that could have been given to the police to combat crime or spent on our schools and hospitals has been spent on providing a very small number of prisoners".
"Such an enhanced regime isn't available to any other type of prisoner and came about as a result of a protest that challenged the prison's authority," Mr Givan concluded.
The deal followed a 'dirty protest' by republican prisoners and ended the four-month protest in August when prisoners were granted a new search facility and other measures.
The prisoners said the protest was over issues including strip-searching and restricted movement and the deal has been defended by prison authorities who said "it had brought to an end a highly volatile situation".
(BMcC/GK)
Paul Givan MLA said that responses by the Department of Justice revealed £550,000 will be spent that include a new search facility; aterations to provide alternative secure access to exercise yards; a secure link from the exercise yards to AstroTurf pitches; additional security for the AstroTurf pitches; refurbishment work, including painting and floor covering of staff and prisoner areas and replacement of all cell sanitary ware and cell doors damaged during the protest.
The DUP politician said that £75,000 spent to date on additional staff costs to implement new arrangements and £45,000 spent on cleaning Roe House during the protest brought the overall bill to around £700,000.
Commenting on the figures the Lagan Valley Assembly Member said: "My primary concern is for the safety of staff. During meetings I have had with the Prison Officers Association in Maghaberry, fears have been raised with me that the agreement reached with separated prisoners by the Department of Justice is putting the security of the prison in jeopardy.
"In Maghaberry there is now a two-tier system in place; one, which applies to the general prison population, and a different one for separated prisoners that is more relaxed and has rewarded non-confirming prisoners with greater benefits because of the protest that took place from Easter Tuesday until the 12th August 2010," the MLA continued.
"It seems that the prison management have failed to learn any lessons from the Maze prison where prisoners practically ran the place," he fumed, noting that the public "will rightly want to know why money that could have been given to the police to combat crime or spent on our schools and hospitals has been spent on providing a very small number of prisoners".
"Such an enhanced regime isn't available to any other type of prisoner and came about as a result of a protest that challenged the prison's authority," Mr Givan concluded.
The deal followed a 'dirty protest' by republican prisoners and ended the four-month protest in August when prisoners were granted a new search facility and other measures.
The prisoners said the protest was over issues including strip-searching and restricted movement and the deal has been defended by prison authorities who said "it had brought to an end a highly volatile situation".
(BMcC/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
25 November 2024
Other News In Brief
DfC Launch Public Consultation On Gender Pay Gap A consultation on proposed changes to Section 19 of the Employment Act (Northern Ireland) relating to the requirements for employers to publish information on the pay of male and female employees has been launched by the Department for Communities.
Other News In Brief
DfC Launch Public Consultation On Gender Pay Gap A consultation on proposed changes to Section 19 of the Employment Act (Northern Ireland) relating to the requirements for employers to publish information on the pay of male and female employees has been launched by the Department for Communities.
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.
23 February 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.
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.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
