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24/06/2015
Number Of Complaints To Police Ombudsman Triples
The number of complaints to the Prisoner Ombudsman tripled in 2014-15, compared to the previous year.
There were 1,429 eligible complaints received, according to a report published by the Ombudsman.
97% of the complaints came from prisoners in Maghaberry, predominantly from separated Republicans. Eligible complaints from other prisoners reduced to 276 from 380. While there was a significant drop in the prison population, 800 fewer committals, since the previous year, a lack of capacity in Maghaberry's internal complaints system appears to be the main reason for this reduction.
However, the Ombudsman commended several initiatives undertaken as part of the Prison Service's reform programme. These included cessation of automatically handcuffing prisoners during transportation, fewer prisoners being accommodated in Maghaberry's older houses and increased finds of illicit drugs. It was also positive that Hydebank Wood Young Offenders
Centre, Ash House Women's Prison and Magilligan Prison were able to deliver regimes that were reasonably predictable and constructive.
However there are serious concerns about high levels of staff unavailability at Maghaberry Prison. The consequences included unpredictable and restricted regimes, long periods of cellular confinement and limited purposeful activity, all of which heightened tensions and increased frustration and vulnerability levels among prisoners.
Mr Tom McGonigle's report also highlighted future developments, including plans to place his Office on a statutory footing and the likely impact of budget cuts.
(CD)
There were 1,429 eligible complaints received, according to a report published by the Ombudsman.
97% of the complaints came from prisoners in Maghaberry, predominantly from separated Republicans. Eligible complaints from other prisoners reduced to 276 from 380. While there was a significant drop in the prison population, 800 fewer committals, since the previous year, a lack of capacity in Maghaberry's internal complaints system appears to be the main reason for this reduction.
However, the Ombudsman commended several initiatives undertaken as part of the Prison Service's reform programme. These included cessation of automatically handcuffing prisoners during transportation, fewer prisoners being accommodated in Maghaberry's older houses and increased finds of illicit drugs. It was also positive that Hydebank Wood Young Offenders
Centre, Ash House Women's Prison and Magilligan Prison were able to deliver regimes that were reasonably predictable and constructive.
However there are serious concerns about high levels of staff unavailability at Maghaberry Prison. The consequences included unpredictable and restricted regimes, long periods of cellular confinement and limited purposeful activity, all of which heightened tensions and increased frustration and vulnerability levels among prisoners.
Mr Tom McGonigle's report also highlighted future developments, including plans to place his Office on a statutory footing and the likely impact of budget cuts.
(CD)
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