Ulster Unionist Justice spokesperson, Danny Kennedy MLA, has welcomed the latest report into the inspection of Maghaberry prison, which says that the prison has now ‘stabilised’, but noted that progress was ‘fragile.’
Mr Kennedy said:
“The most encouraging aspect of this Report into the announced inspection of Maghaberry prison in January of this year is the finding that the prison has stabilised but clearly issues remain to be resolved.
"The Ulster Unionist Party has long voiced concerns at staffing levels within the prison and the impact this has on the safety of officers and we believe these concerns remain valid and must be addressed before the situation is fully addressed.
“We are concerned at the report’s findings of ‘high levels of violence and the problems surrounding the availability of illicit drugs’ and that ‘mental health provision had deteriorated as a result of staff shortages and now needed urgent attention.’
“We also note with interest the statement that ‘Many staff continued to adhere to a view that prisoners were to be feared and that they could do little to influence prisoners’ custodial or future behaviour on release.’
“Given that some prisoners are in jail for offences including terrorist crimes and membership of organisations which have murdered - and indeed are still trying to murder prison officers - it is not unreasonable that some prison officers should fear some prisoners.
“We must be realistic. There is only so much a prison officer – or a prison system can do – with faced with someone whose stated aim is to kill prison officers.
“That said, the Ulster Unionist Party welcomes the fact that changes have been made to improve life at Maghaberry Prison and support their continuance. We want to see a modern and humane prison regime in which both staff and prisoner safety is paramount. We strongly believe that this can best be achieved if the Management of the Prison Service engage positively with the Prison Officers Association and ensure that their concerns are taken fully on board.”