Maghaberry Prison

Publication: 01/07/16

Full report on Maghaberry Prison Inspection published

Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland (CJI) has today published the full report of an announced inspection of Maghaberry Prison carried out January 2016.

The report repeats the initial findings of the multi-disciplinary Inspection team made public in February, when Inspectors indicated Maghaberry prison had 'stabilised' after serious concerns  around safety and leadership were raised following an unannounced inspection of the high-security facility carried out in May 2015.
 
"This full report reiterates the earlier findings of the Inspection Team where Inspectors from CJI, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP), the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) and the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) assessed each of the nine recommendations made last year to be 'partially achieved' at the time the Inspection was carried out in January 2016," said Brendan McGuigan, Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice in Northern Ireland.
 
"Four areas have been identified where additional action is recommended after Inspectors identified new concerns.
 
"These include ensuring robust investigations are carried out into allegations of assault on prisoners by staff and that the use of special accommodation within the prison is properly managed and only used as a last resort for the minimum amount of time," he said.
 
Mr McGuigan indicated two additional actions in relation to meeting the health care needs of prisoners have also been made.
 
"We have suggested a review of the closure of the in-patient health facility at Maghaberry should be carried out, given the difficulties experienced in providing care to an increasing number of men with significant physical and mental health issues," he said.
 
"We have also reiterated our concern that the increasing mental health needs of vulnerable men within the prison population at Maghaberry need to be met - an issue we raised in February 2016 and were reassured was a priority for the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust.
 
"The senior management team within the Northern Ireland Prison Service are aware of the findings of the full Inspection report and as stated previously, we remain committed to working to support the prison governors at Maghaberry to oversee the delivery of the nine inspection recommendations and additional actions," concluded Mr McGuigan.