Menu
01/10/2013
Concerns Raised Over NI Prisons
"Significant concerns" have been raised over the running of two of Northern Ireland's prison facilities following examinations by the Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland (CJINI).
The critical inspections of Hydebank Wood Young Offenders' Centre (YOC) and Ash House, Northern Ireland's women's prison, were conducted in February 2013.
Inspectors say there are concerns regarding the prisons' performance and their ability to deliver positive outcomes for prisoners within their care.
"Inspectors were disappointed to find that lessons had not been fully learned from recent deaths in custody at both the YOC and Ash House," said Brendan McGuigan, Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice in Northern Ireland.
"Performance in relation to safety and respect at the YOC were found to be 'not sufficiently good' while purposeful activity was categorised as 'poor'."
The Chief Inspector continued: "Safety was a concern, with many prisoners reporting feeling victimised by other prisoners and staff. There was also little progress in developing a robust approach to violence reduction, and more needed to be done to effectively challenge poor behaviour."
The report found that young men at Hydebank were spending too long locked in their cells and that activities were often cancelled at short notice.
Concerns were raised regarding the small number of prisoners accessing work and education and inspectors also identified that the needs of prisoners with low levels of literacy and numeracy were not being met.
In relation to Ash House, Mr McGuigan said Inspectors found female prisoners had limited access to facilities and services.
"Purposeful activity provision was deemed 'poor' and had deteriorated since Ash House was previously inspected in 2011," Mr McGuigan said.
"Insufficient activity places were provided, and what was available was poorly used. Vocational training opportunities were limited and the quality and standard of what was delivered was mixed."
Ash House was found to be 'reasonably good' in respect of safety; 'not sufficiently good' in relation to resettlement, while respect was categorised as 'poor.'
"The approach in both facilities to addressing substance misuse and tackling what was perceived to be a drugs problem, did not provide a satisfactory level of reassurance," said the Chief Inspector.
"The new leadership teams in place at Hydebank Wood YOC and Ash House must work to deliver a fundamental improvement in outcomes for prisoners. A radical rethink is also required to the approach to the imprisonment of women in Northern Ireland, in order to improve standards and opportunities.
"These inspection reports demonstrate, once again, how imperative it is for focus to be maintained on the wider reform of the Northern Ireland Prison Service and the full implementation of the Prison Review Team recommendations to be achieved."
(IT/JP)
The critical inspections of Hydebank Wood Young Offenders' Centre (YOC) and Ash House, Northern Ireland's women's prison, were conducted in February 2013.
Inspectors say there are concerns regarding the prisons' performance and their ability to deliver positive outcomes for prisoners within their care.
"Inspectors were disappointed to find that lessons had not been fully learned from recent deaths in custody at both the YOC and Ash House," said Brendan McGuigan, Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice in Northern Ireland.
"Performance in relation to safety and respect at the YOC were found to be 'not sufficiently good' while purposeful activity was categorised as 'poor'."
The Chief Inspector continued: "Safety was a concern, with many prisoners reporting feeling victimised by other prisoners and staff. There was also little progress in developing a robust approach to violence reduction, and more needed to be done to effectively challenge poor behaviour."
The report found that young men at Hydebank were spending too long locked in their cells and that activities were often cancelled at short notice.
Concerns were raised regarding the small number of prisoners accessing work and education and inspectors also identified that the needs of prisoners with low levels of literacy and numeracy were not being met.
In relation to Ash House, Mr McGuigan said Inspectors found female prisoners had limited access to facilities and services.
"Purposeful activity provision was deemed 'poor' and had deteriorated since Ash House was previously inspected in 2011," Mr McGuigan said.
"Insufficient activity places were provided, and what was available was poorly used. Vocational training opportunities were limited and the quality and standard of what was delivered was mixed."
Ash House was found to be 'reasonably good' in respect of safety; 'not sufficiently good' in relation to resettlement, while respect was categorised as 'poor.'
"The approach in both facilities to addressing substance misuse and tackling what was perceived to be a drugs problem, did not provide a satisfactory level of reassurance," said the Chief Inspector.
"The new leadership teams in place at Hydebank Wood YOC and Ash House must work to deliver a fundamental improvement in outcomes for prisoners. A radical rethink is also required to the approach to the imprisonment of women in Northern Ireland, in order to improve standards and opportunities.
"These inspection reports demonstrate, once again, how imperative it is for focus to be maintained on the wider reform of the Northern Ireland Prison Service and the full implementation of the Prison Review Team recommendations to be achieved."
(IT/JP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
12 September 2006
Promoting Healthy Prisons conference announces low literacy statistics
Recent statistics from England and Wales indicate that nine out ten prisoners have a diagnosable mental health problem, substance misuse problem or both, while four out of five prisoners smoke, in comparison to one in four of the general population.
Promoting Healthy Prisons conference announces low literacy statistics
Recent statistics from England and Wales indicate that nine out ten prisoners have a diagnosable mental health problem, substance misuse problem or both, while four out of five prisoners smoke, in comparison to one in four of the general population.
28 February 2022
Use Of Drugs And Medication Key Area Of Concern In NI Prisons
Leadership and staff at Magilligan Prison have been commended for their efforts to successfully protect prisoners and colleagues during the COVID-19 pandemic while maintaining a regime where time out of cell for prisoners was retained for much of the day.
Use Of Drugs And Medication Key Area Of Concern In NI Prisons
Leadership and staff at Magilligan Prison have been commended for their efforts to successfully protect prisoners and colleagues during the COVID-19 pandemic while maintaining a regime where time out of cell for prisoners was retained for much of the day.
28 November 2024
Lidl Northern Ireland Opens Two New Stores
Lidl Northern Ireland has announced the reopening of its Stewartstown Road store in West Belfast and the opening of a new store in Carryduff. The Stewartstown Road store, which has undergone a major redevelopment, will reopen on December 5th. The new Carryduff store, Lidl’s 43rd in Northern Ireland, will open on December 12th.
Lidl Northern Ireland Opens Two New Stores
Lidl Northern Ireland has announced the reopening of its Stewartstown Road store in West Belfast and the opening of a new store in Carryduff. The Stewartstown Road store, which has undergone a major redevelopment, will reopen on December 5th. The new Carryduff store, Lidl’s 43rd in Northern Ireland, will open on December 12th.
27 November 2024
Pathway Fund Applications Open For Early Years Providers
Education Minister, Paul Givan, has announced the opening of online applications for the Targeted Early Years Pathway Fund for the 2025/26 and 2026/27 academic years. The Pathway Fund, introduced in 2016, aims to provide early years education services for children aged 0-4 who may be at risk of falling behind in their education.
Pathway Fund Applications Open For Early Years Providers
Education Minister, Paul Givan, has announced the opening of online applications for the Targeted Early Years Pathway Fund for the 2025/26 and 2026/27 academic years. The Pathway Fund, introduced in 2016, aims to provide early years education services for children aged 0-4 who may be at risk of falling behind in their education.
20 November 2024
Parents And Guardians Urged To Share Childcare Experiences
Parents and guardians across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to participate in a new survey to share their experiences of childcare. The survey, commissioned by the Department of Education, aims to gather valuable insights to inform future childcare policies.
Parents And Guardians Urged To Share Childcare Experiences
Parents and guardians across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to participate in a new survey to share their experiences of childcare. The survey, commissioned by the Department of Education, aims to gather valuable insights to inform future childcare policies.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
