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| Jailed Catholics 'less well off' | Jailed Catholics 'less well off' |
| (8 minutes later) | |
| Catholics in prisons in Northern Ireland get fewer privileges than their Protestant counterparts. | Catholics in prisons in Northern Ireland get fewer privileges than their Protestant counterparts. |
| A report by Criminal Justice Inspection says 80% of prison officers are Protestants and Catholic inmates receive less favourable treatment. | A report by Criminal Justice Inspection says 80% of prison officers are Protestants and Catholic inmates receive less favourable treatment. |
| This inspection examined whether criminal justice agencies were meeting their legal obligation to ensure equality and human rights are promoted. | This inspection examined whether criminal justice agencies were meeting their legal obligation to ensure equality and human rights are promoted. |
| The prisons service provided most information and was strongly criticised | The prisons service provided most information and was strongly criticised |
| The report, published on Tuesday, looked at equality and human rights in every aspect of agencies' operation, policies and practice. | The report, published on Tuesday, looked at equality and human rights in every aspect of agencies' operation, policies and practice. |
| BBC NI Home Affairs correspondent Vincent Kearney said: "Inspectors found that Catholic prisoners received fewer privileges than Protestants and the report calls on the prison service to investigate why this is the case. | BBC NI Home Affairs correspondent Vincent Kearney said: "Inspectors found that Catholic prisoners received fewer privileges than Protestants and the report calls on the prison service to investigate why this is the case. |
| "But the inspectors also criticise other agencies for failing to comply with their legal obligation to properly collect and monitor equality information." | "But the inspectors also criticise other agencies for failing to comply with their legal obligation to properly collect and monitor equality information." |
| The report's authors said there wasn't enough information about how the criminal justice system treats defendants, victims or witnesses. | The report's authors said there wasn't enough information about how the criminal justice system treats defendants, victims or witnesses. |
| Dr Michael Maguire, Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice in Northern Ireland, said: "The report highlights the importance of collecting timely, relevant and comprehensive information." | |
| He added: "There is a question to be answered as to why the religion of a prisoner would have an impact on the regime that they experience within the prison service." | |
| Criminal Justice Minister Paul Goggins welcomed the report and said the criminal justice system was committed to equality. | |
| He said two of CJI's recommendations were already in place and an action plan for the others had been drawn up. | |
| The report was also welcomed by the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland. Chief Executive Evelyn Collins said: "Effective monitoring allows public bodies to identify and address any underlying issues which may impact on the promotion of equality." |