15/10/2012
New Plans For Fine Prison Sentencing
The way fine defaults are dealt with in Northern Ireland is about to change.
Justice Minister David Ford has launched a second pilot scheme as a means to find a better way of dealing with unpaid fines.
An original scheme was implemented in Newry and Mourne and is now due to be extended until February 2013.
Now, a second pilot will be launched in the Lisburn district and will run for six months.
The scheme will see a Supervised Activity Order issued by the court for the non-payment of a fine, which will mean a community based alternative rather than a prison term.
David Ford said: "Every year thousands of people are sent to prison for non-payment of fines. We need to find better ways of solving this problem
"Supervised Activity Orders can be part of that solution, and the initial results from our pilot in Newry and Mourne are encouraging."
Next year, Mr Ford will introduce new legislation into the Assembly to overhaul the current arrangements.
"Since it began in February, 36 people who might otherwise have gone to prison for the non payment of fines have managed to clear their debt by working in the community," he said.
"That is from one court district, and if we are able to extend these orders across all of Northern Ireland, then we would see a significant decrease in the numbers ending up in prison for fine default.
"Next year I will also introduce legislation to take fine payments directly from income, and to create a civilianised fine enforcement system."
Last year, more than 2,000 people were sent to jail in Northern Ireland for failing to pay fines.
(IT)
Justice Minister David Ford has launched a second pilot scheme as a means to find a better way of dealing with unpaid fines.
An original scheme was implemented in Newry and Mourne and is now due to be extended until February 2013.
Now, a second pilot will be launched in the Lisburn district and will run for six months.
The scheme will see a Supervised Activity Order issued by the court for the non-payment of a fine, which will mean a community based alternative rather than a prison term.
David Ford said: "Every year thousands of people are sent to prison for non-payment of fines. We need to find better ways of solving this problem
"Supervised Activity Orders can be part of that solution, and the initial results from our pilot in Newry and Mourne are encouraging."
Next year, Mr Ford will introduce new legislation into the Assembly to overhaul the current arrangements.
"Since it began in February, 36 people who might otherwise have gone to prison for the non payment of fines have managed to clear their debt by working in the community," he said.
"That is from one court district, and if we are able to extend these orders across all of Northern Ireland, then we would see a significant decrease in the numbers ending up in prison for fine default.
"Next year I will also introduce legislation to take fine payments directly from income, and to create a civilianised fine enforcement system."
Last year, more than 2,000 people were sent to jail in Northern Ireland for failing to pay fines.
(IT)
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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.
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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.
23 October 2002
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.
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.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
