Menu
04/05/2006
Segregated prison costs highlighted in report
A new report by the Criminal Justice System has highlighted the extensive costs of segregating loyalist and republican prisoners at Maghaberry jail near Lisburn.
The report revealed that it was almost twice as expensive to hold a prisoner there than in high security jails in the rest of the UK.
The joint report was compiled by HM Chief Inspector of prisons and the Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice, which found that the average cost of keeping each inmate in a Northern Ireland prison was £86,000 per year and the cost of housing them at Maghaberry was higher again.
It is understood that the segregated prisoners represent around 10% of the prison population, however the report states that other inmates are suffering because of this in both monetary terms and the provision of services.
The report stated that the number of prison officers required to man the separated correctional facilities means that other prisoners were more likely to be confined to their cells for longer periods of time and therefore have less chance to benefit from recreational and educational opportunities.
Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice in Northern Ireland, Kit Chivers, has said that Maghaberry is a complex, maximum security prison which is costly to maintain and resource.
He added: "Yet this degree of security is not necessary for many prisoners, such as fine defaulters and other short term prisoners.
"If other accommodation existed, the needs of these prisoners could be catered for more economically and more effectively in a less secure facility. This is a problem of having a small prison estate."
It has been revealed that inspectors made 171 recommendations for improvement for Maghaberry and the Prison Service have published an action plan to accompany the report.
Speaking on the report, Security Minister Shaun Woodward said that 153 of the recommendations had been accepted in full or in part and compelling reasons had been given for not accepting the remainder.
Mr Woodward welcomed the report and said that he had identified areas of good practice while highlighting a number of areas where the regime could be made better.
He said: "It is fair to say that the higher staff/prisoner ratio levels in the Separate Regime impact to some degree on the rest of the prison. However, separation is key to the maintenance of good order and it is vital that prison officers remain in control at all times."
He added that it was also true to say separation impacted on the running costs of the jail - something the minister described as "fully justified".
Alan Longwell, Governor of Maghaberry Prison, said that his staff would carry out the recommendations with "vigour and determination."
Mr Longwell said: "Indeed some of them have already been implemented and work is ongoing in progressing the remainder."
Maghaberry Prison houses both paramilitary and non-paramilitary prisoners, male and female, as well as prisoners who are on remand.
(EF/SP)
The report revealed that it was almost twice as expensive to hold a prisoner there than in high security jails in the rest of the UK.
The joint report was compiled by HM Chief Inspector of prisons and the Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice, which found that the average cost of keeping each inmate in a Northern Ireland prison was £86,000 per year and the cost of housing them at Maghaberry was higher again.
It is understood that the segregated prisoners represent around 10% of the prison population, however the report states that other inmates are suffering because of this in both monetary terms and the provision of services.
The report stated that the number of prison officers required to man the separated correctional facilities means that other prisoners were more likely to be confined to their cells for longer periods of time and therefore have less chance to benefit from recreational and educational opportunities.
Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice in Northern Ireland, Kit Chivers, has said that Maghaberry is a complex, maximum security prison which is costly to maintain and resource.
He added: "Yet this degree of security is not necessary for many prisoners, such as fine defaulters and other short term prisoners.
"If other accommodation existed, the needs of these prisoners could be catered for more economically and more effectively in a less secure facility. This is a problem of having a small prison estate."
It has been revealed that inspectors made 171 recommendations for improvement for Maghaberry and the Prison Service have published an action plan to accompany the report.
Speaking on the report, Security Minister Shaun Woodward said that 153 of the recommendations had been accepted in full or in part and compelling reasons had been given for not accepting the remainder.
Mr Woodward welcomed the report and said that he had identified areas of good practice while highlighting a number of areas where the regime could be made better.
He said: "It is fair to say that the higher staff/prisoner ratio levels in the Separate Regime impact to some degree on the rest of the prison. However, separation is key to the maintenance of good order and it is vital that prison officers remain in control at all times."
He added that it was also true to say separation impacted on the running costs of the jail - something the minister described as "fully justified".
Alan Longwell, Governor of Maghaberry Prison, said that his staff would carry out the recommendations with "vigour and determination."
Mr Longwell said: "Indeed some of them have already been implemented and work is ongoing in progressing the remainder."
Maghaberry Prison houses both paramilitary and non-paramilitary prisoners, male and female, as well as prisoners who are on remand.
(EF/SP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
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.
24 October 2011
Six Months Prison Reform 'Critical', Says Ford
Prison reform in Northern Ireland is now at a turning point. According to the NI Justice Minister David Ford, a new report by the Prison Review Team is a watershed for the Northern Ireland Prison Service.
Six Months Prison Reform 'Critical', Says Ford
Prison reform in Northern Ireland is now at a turning point. According to the NI Justice Minister David Ford, a new report by the Prison Review Team is a watershed for the Northern Ireland Prison Service.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A chilly start with a widespread frost and some freezing fog, any freezing fog slow to clear. Otherwise bright with sunny spells and coastal showers. Light winds. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Coastal showers dying out with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
