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Freedom Of Information

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI) gives people the right to request information from public authorities. It is intended to promote a culture of openness and accountability amongst public sector bodies, and therefore facilitate better public understanding as to how public authorities carry out their duties, why they make the decisions they do, and how they spend public money.

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 came fully into force on 1 January 2005 and further information is available from the following web site: http://www.foi.gov.uk

The Freedom of Information Act 2000

The Northern Ireland Prison Service is one of the public bodies covered by the terms of this Act.

The right to request information under this Act is not confined to citizens of the United Kingdom or from those resident in the United Kingdom. Requests can made by individuals of any nationality from anywhere in the world.

The request must be in writing and the request may be made by e-mail, but the authority receiving the request has the right to confirm the address of the applicant. It must also relate to information that we already hold. The Act does not provide for the compilation of information.

Requests must be processed within 20 working days provided that all of the necessary information is submitted by the applicant. Where the receiving authority is in any doubt as to the precise nature of the information requested it is entitled to seek additional information from the applicant. In this event there may be a delay to the process.

Existing sources of information

The Northern Ireland Prison Service provides a comprehensive database on many aspects of the work of the Service. Before making your request you may wish to view the existing links section to see if the information you have requested has already been published. The a-z responses link will take you to requests which have already been responded to.

Making a request

Applications can be made in one of three ways:

ONLINE
Using the online request form provided. This form has been designed so that the need for us to request further information from you about your request is minimised.

E-MAIL
Send your request to the following e-mail address: nipsfoi@nio.x.gsi.gov.uk

POST
Send your written request to:

Requests for Information Desk,
The Northern Ireland Prison Service,
Upper Newtownards Road,
Dundonald House,
Belfast,
BT4 3SU.

Further information

In addition to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI), there are two other access to information regimes which the Information Commissioner has responsibility for:

The Data Protection Act 1998, and
The Environmental Information Regulations 2004

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI) gives people the right to request information from public authorities. It is intended to promote a culture of openness and accountability amongst public sector bodies, and therefore facilitate better public understanding as to how public authorities carry out their duties, why they make the decisions they do, and how they spend public money. The Freedom of Information Act 2000 came fully into force on 1 January 2005 and further information is available from the following web site: www.foi.gov.uk

Click here to view Access to Information Policy 2008