CJINI reports raise questions of leadership of Northern Ireland Prison Service – Elliott

Ulster Unionist Justice Spokesperson, Tom Elliott, has said that the leadership of the Northern Ireland Prison Service is under question following the publication of two critical reports by the Criminal Justice Inspectorate NI into the women's prison and young offenders centre at Hydebank Wood.

The Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA said;

‘The leadership of the Northern Ireland Prison Service is certainly under question given that inspectors have raised ‘significant concerns’ around the performance of two of Northern Ireland's prison facilities. This follows two inspections carried out at Hydebank Wood Young Offenders' Centre and Northern Ireland's women's prison, Ash House, in February 2013.’

‘Bearing in mind that the Prison Review Team have undertaken a fundamental review of the prison system here and the Strategic Efficiency and Effectiveness (SEE) Programme, a four year change management programme, was launched in June 2011; it is simply not good enough that some of our prisons appear to be actually getting worse. We must remember we are dealing with serious issues here like deaths in custody, mental health issues and tackling drugs’

‘We have heard consistently about the staff in the prisons being under resourced and they therefore cannot manage the prisoners in a way which would be beneficial to all. I believe they are prepared to deliver a first class service but require the senior authorities support and resources.’

‘I tabled an urgent oral question today in the Assembly to ask the Minister of Justice, David Ford, for his assessment of the situation. I regret that the Speaker did not see fit to ensure this matter of clear public interest could be raised in the Assembly chamber.’

ENDS

Notes to editor:

Urgent oral question submitted by Tom Elliott – ‘To ask the Minister of Justice for his assessment of the performance of the senior administration of the Prison Service following the significant concerns of the Criminal Justice Inspectorate Northern Ireland outlined in two reports into the women's prison and young offenders centre at Hydebank Wood’

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