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Report hits out at prison regime Report hits out at prison regime
(about 4 hours later)
Deficiencies remain in the Northern Ireland prison regime, an inspection of the treatment of vulnerable prisoners has found.Deficiencies remain in the Northern Ireland prison regime, an inspection of the treatment of vulnerable prisoners has found.
Inspectors found the daily regime for vulnerable prisoners had changed little between an inspection in January and a follow up inspection in the summer. Inspectors found the daily regime for vulnerable prisoners had changed little between an inspection in January and a follow-up visit in the summer.
The latest inspection was ordered after the death of prisoner Colin Bell in Maghaberry jail in August 2008.The latest inspection was ordered after the death of prisoner Colin Bell in Maghaberry jail in August 2008.
It found "inconsistent assessment and monitoring of prisoners at risk".It found "inconsistent assessment and monitoring of prisoners at risk".
The inspection report, to be published later, was compiled at the request of NI Criminal Justice Minister Paul Goggins. The inspection report was compiled at the request of Northern Ireland Criminal Justice Minister Paul Goggins.
SuicideSuicide
It tracked the progress made by the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) in implementing recommendations made in January 2009 by the Prisoner Ombudsman for Northern Ireland in her report into the death in custody of Colin Bell.It tracked the progress made by the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) in implementing recommendations made in January 2009 by the Prisoner Ombudsman for Northern Ireland in her report into the death in custody of Colin Bell.
Colin Bell was found dead in 2008
Another prisoner killed themselves in Maghaberry's healthcare unit in August which lead to the suspension of four members of staff.Another prisoner killed themselves in Maghaberry's healthcare unit in August which lead to the suspension of four members of staff.
Dr Michael Maguire, NI Criminal Justice chief inspector, said the NIPS had taken action to reduce the risk of suicide in prison cells. Dr Michael Maguire, NI Criminal Justice chief inspector, said the Prison Service had taken action to reduce the risk of suicide in prison cells.
"Staff members have been made aware of the issues arising from the death of Colin Bell, safer custody teams have been introduced and staff training has been improved."Staff members have been made aware of the issues arising from the death of Colin Bell, safer custody teams have been introduced and staff training has been improved.
"Yet, despite this positive activity, this report shows there is a continuing gap between the NIPS's stated intention and the delivery on-the-ground of meaningful outcomes for prisoners, especially at Maghaberry Prison, where the majority of prisoners at risk are located," he said."Yet, despite this positive activity, this report shows there is a continuing gap between the NIPS's stated intention and the delivery on-the-ground of meaningful outcomes for prisoners, especially at Maghaberry Prison, where the majority of prisoners at risk are located," he said.
Colin Bell was found dead in 2008 The report found the Prison Service has worked hard to deliver "the letter of many recommendations" but there is much room for improvement in implementing them in the "spirit" in which they were intended:
He said the day-to-day regime for prisoners at risk was also found to have changed little since an inspection of Maghaberry Prison in January 2009.
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  • The small number of the Prisoner Ombudsman's findings which were not implemented were some of the most critical ones;
  • Significant concerns remained about providing a suitable regime for vulnerable prisoners - essential activities such as remedial education, work and social interaction remain in short supply;
  • The Prison Service is better at providing safe custody for compliant prisoners than ones more difficult to manage, such as ones with aggressive traits or mental illness;
  • Official policy on safer custody did not equate to activity on the ground - for example, violence reduction and anti-bullying measures were not given sufficient attention because of the emphasis on suicide prevention;
  • Inspectors met some excellent and committed staff, but many continued to take a cynical attitude and the pace of change was not a swift as they would have expected;
  • The overriding focus was on security, and certain staff remained reluctant to engage with prisoners.
"The inspection, which was carried out in July and August 2009, found prisoners were continuing to spend too long in their cells, had limited access to out-of-cell activities and inadequate multi-disciplinary care," Dr Maguire said. Dr Maguire said inspectors were concerned that, despite the priority given to prisoners at risk, staff at a special facility at Maghaberry still had to fight to ensure resources were not re-allocated elsewhere.
Risk
"Access to appropriate care is important as it reduces the risk of a prisoner harming themselves and others while in prison.
"It also lessens the risk of a vulnerable prisoner harming other people following their release."
He said inspectors were concerned that, despite the priority given to prisoners at risk, a special facility at Maghaberry was continuing to have to fight to ensure its resources were not re-allocated elsewhere.
"This is in spite of the fact the prison as a whole, has a high staff-to-prisoner ratio when compared with other prisons," he said."This is in spite of the fact the prison as a whole, has a high staff-to-prisoner ratio when compared with other prisons," he said.
He said the pace of change within the NIPS had not been as swift as inspectors would have wished to see.
"The progress made to date should be viewed as the starting point if further deaths in custody are to be prevented and the situation for vulnerable prisoners improved.
"This will be the ongoing challenge for the NIPS, the new governor of Maghaberry Prison, when appointed, and their management team," Dr Maguire said.
The Head of the Prison Service, Robin Masefield, said that they had rolled out a new system for supporting prisoners within the last month and had established prisoner forums.The Head of the Prison Service, Robin Masefield, said that they had rolled out a new system for supporting prisoners within the last month and had established prisoner forums.
"His report was published on 21 July, this inspection of Maghaberry Prison took place two weeks later ... we are now six months on we have made a good deal of further progress," he said."His report was published on 21 July, this inspection of Maghaberry Prison took place two weeks later ... we are now six months on we have made a good deal of further progress," he said.
He said that further progress would be found in the inspectors next visit and added that the jail dealt with a wide range of offenders.He said that further progress would be found in the inspectors next visit and added that the jail dealt with a wide range of offenders.
Maghaberry is currently being run by an acting governor after the last governor Steve Rodford left his job earlier this month.Maghaberry is currently being run by an acting governor after the last governor Steve Rodford left his job earlier this month.
Mr Rodford, who was apparently under threat from dissident republicans, had been in the post for just five months.Mr Rodford, who was apparently under threat from dissident republicans, had been in the post for just five months.