Prisons’ Minister Paul Goggins today thanked the outgoing Prisoner Ombudsman Brian Coulter for his diligent work in helping to protect the rights of prisoners.

He was responding to the publication of the third Annual Report of the Prisoner Ombudsman, which covers the period from April 2007 to March 2008.

It will be the final report under the leadership of Mr Coulter who has tendered his resignation and will leave his post once a successor has been appointed.

Mr Goggins said that in his three years as Prisoner Ombudsman, Mr Coulter had made an important contribution to ensuring that complaints made by prisoners were thoroughly investigated.

“I would like to thank Brian Coulter for all the work he has done in establishing the office of Prisoner Ombudsman and for the rigorous and impartial way he and his team have fulfilled their duties.

“For the third year in a row there has been a significant fall in prisoner complaints: 207 this year compared to 275 the previous year and 368 in 2005/06.

“There is a clear indication of the professional relationship that has developed between the Ombudsman’s office and NIPS and of a much improved internal complaints procedure.

“I know that the Ombudsman wishes to see the office put on a statutory footing. That remains the Government’s intention and we will continue to work with all those involved on the best way of implementing this important commitment.”

The Director of the Northern Ireland Prison Service Robin Masefield also welcomed the Annual Report.

“I am pleased to note that 43 per cent of the complaints received were resolved locally between the prisoner and Prison Service staff. This has been to the benefit of all and illustrates the positive working relationship that has developed between the Prison Service and the Ombudsman’s Office.

“Brian Coulter has worked assiduously to establish and build upon the role of Ombudsman of the Ombudsman’s Office and I would like to thank him for the fair-minded and thorough way he has carried out this demanding role.

“I would like to wish him well for the future and look forward to working with his successor,” he added.


Notes to Editors

The Prisoner Ombudsman’s Report is published on the Northern Ireland Prison Service website at www.niprisonservice.gov.uk/IndependentReports/Reviews and on the Prisoner Ombudsman for Northern Ireland’s website at www.niprisonerombudsman.gov.uk.

Related Publication - Ombudsman s Annual Report 07-08 final version.pdf.PDF

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