Prisons’ Minister Paul Goggins today praised the efforts and dedication of Prison Service staff during a challenging year which has seen significant progress on a range of fronts, against the backdrop of a rising prisoner population.

The Service met nine of the eleven corporate targets that it had been set and reduced the cost per prisoner place by more than £9,000.

The Minister said; “I welcome the fact that there were no escapes from prison last year and that virtually every prisoner serving more than six months now has a resettlement plan in place.

“I am disappointed at the rate of absenteeism and the failure to meet the target for constructive activity. We have adopted a strict and comprehensive Sickness Absence Strategy which will lead to improvements in workplace health and ensure a swift return to work for those who have recovered from illness. It is worth remembering that over half of all Prison Service staff took no time off at all for sickness last year.

“The Prison Service has developed a Sickness Absence Strategy and with firm and consistent application of robust management procedures, coupled with initiatives for improving workplace health, I am confident that further improvements can be made to this worrying problem.

“I place great importance on constructive activity. We need to make sure that each day spent in custody has a purpose and provides prisoners with the education and life skills that are vital for their successful return to the community.”

Robin Masefield, Director of the Prison Service said;

“The past year has witnessed developments in the prison estate with the Ministerial announcement of 400 new prison places at Maghaberry and Magilligan Prisons. For the first time in over a decade the Service undertook significant recruitment, while its contribution to wider society through the years was honoured by both North Down and Ards Councils’ in bestowing the Freedom of their respective Boroughs on the Prison Service.

“The year ahead will bring new challenges. The implementation of the Criminal Justice Order will place additional pressures on us as we work with partner agencies in delivering the new public protection arrangements, which will require the creation of a wider range of prisoner programmes.

“The Service is continuing its preparations for devolution, which may occur during the current business year. This places extra pressures and demands on staff. The Service is however better equipped that ever to deal with the ongoing challenges and with the continued commitment and support of all I am confident that we will continue to deliver a service which represents best value and of which the public can be justly proud.”

Notes to Editors

1. The Northern Ireland Prison Service Annual Report & Accounts 2007-08 was announced by way of a Written Statement by Prisons’ Minister Paul Goggins. The Annual Report has been placed in the libraries of both Houses of Parliament and has been published on the Northern Ireland Prison Service website. It can be accessed here.

Related Publication - NIPS Annual Report 08.pdf.PDF

Contact Details