18/05/2015
Other News In Brief
Call For New Legislation To Tackle 'Legal Highs'
The DUP is calling for the introduction of new legislation to tackle so-called 'legal highs'.
It is due to be debated in the Northern Ireland Assembly today, 18 May.
Assembly Private Secretary to the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Alex Easton, said: "The Party's manifesto for the recent General Election called for action in Parliament to introduce legislation to tackle new psychoactive substances and today's motion is asking the Health Minister to work with the Home Office to ensure that legislation is introduced across the United Kingdom.
"So-called 'legal highs' can have a devastating impact on lives and it is vital that we have strong and effective legislation to tackle these potentially lethal substances.
"It is a complex subject on which to legislate however and we are aware of the fact of the efforts which will be put into attempts to circumvent any legislation banning these substances."
Prison Service Committed To Improving Employment Prospects For Prisoners
Justice Minister David Ford has highlighted the commitment from the Prison Service to improving the employment prospects of prisoners on their release.
The Minister was responding to an Assembly question from Judith Cochrane MLA.
Mr Ford said: "It is important that we have in place strategies and plans to help prisoners increase their chances of gainful employment on release. This will obviously reduce the risks of reoffending and so keep the community safe.
"The Northern Ireland Prison Service Employability Strategy is a public commitment to supporting prisoners develop qualifications, skills and experience linked to labour market needs, in order to increase their potential for gaining employment on release.
"The strategy has been successful in engaging with employers to dispel some of the myths around employing ex-offenders and has increased the numbers of employers committed to providing opportunities."
Hussey Appointed To The North South Inter Parliamentary Association
The Ulster Unionist Party's West Tyrone MLA Ross Hussey has been appointed to the North South Inter Parliamentary Association to replace his Party colleague Danny Kinahan, who has just been elected to Westminster.
Mr Hussey said: "I am delighted to be appointed as one of the Ulster Unionist Party's representatives on the North South Inter Parliamentary Association following the vacancy which has arisen due to the election of Danny Kinahan as the Member of Parliament for South Antrim.
"I believe that as Unionists we should engage with politicians and civic society in the Republic in order to promote better mutual understanding and to state the case for the Union."
(CD/JP)
The DUP is calling for the introduction of new legislation to tackle so-called 'legal highs'.
It is due to be debated in the Northern Ireland Assembly today, 18 May.
Assembly Private Secretary to the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Alex Easton, said: "The Party's manifesto for the recent General Election called for action in Parliament to introduce legislation to tackle new psychoactive substances and today's motion is asking the Health Minister to work with the Home Office to ensure that legislation is introduced across the United Kingdom.
"So-called 'legal highs' can have a devastating impact on lives and it is vital that we have strong and effective legislation to tackle these potentially lethal substances.
"It is a complex subject on which to legislate however and we are aware of the fact of the efforts which will be put into attempts to circumvent any legislation banning these substances."
Prison Service Committed To Improving Employment Prospects For Prisoners
Justice Minister David Ford has highlighted the commitment from the Prison Service to improving the employment prospects of prisoners on their release.
The Minister was responding to an Assembly question from Judith Cochrane MLA.
Mr Ford said: "It is important that we have in place strategies and plans to help prisoners increase their chances of gainful employment on release. This will obviously reduce the risks of reoffending and so keep the community safe.
"The Northern Ireland Prison Service Employability Strategy is a public commitment to supporting prisoners develop qualifications, skills and experience linked to labour market needs, in order to increase their potential for gaining employment on release.
"The strategy has been successful in engaging with employers to dispel some of the myths around employing ex-offenders and has increased the numbers of employers committed to providing opportunities."
Hussey Appointed To The North South Inter Parliamentary Association
The Ulster Unionist Party's West Tyrone MLA Ross Hussey has been appointed to the North South Inter Parliamentary Association to replace his Party colleague Danny Kinahan, who has just been elected to Westminster.
Mr Hussey said: "I am delighted to be appointed as one of the Ulster Unionist Party's representatives on the North South Inter Parliamentary Association following the vacancy which has arisen due to the election of Danny Kinahan as the Member of Parliament for South Antrim.
"I believe that as Unionists we should engage with politicians and civic society in the Republic in order to promote better mutual understanding and to state the case for the Union."
(CD/JP)
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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.
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.
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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.
