Prisons’ Minister Paul Goggins today announced developments to various aspects of the prison regime across the Service’s three establishments, including the introduction of a two-tier regime for separated prisoners in Maghaberry Prison. Other changes concern the use of the passive drug dog and the extension of in-cell sanitation in segregation units.

The creation of a two-tier regime for separated prisoners at Maghaberry was recommended as part of an internal Prison Service Review and this was accepted by the Minister last May, following public consultation.

The changes in the use of the passive drugs dog come against the background of a review of their use by the Prisoner Ombudsman, carried out at the request of the Director of the Prison Service. The effect of the change will mean that where the drug dog indicates only on one visitor in a group and that visitor chooses to leave, then the other members of the group may proceed to have a normal open visit with the prisoner.

In making the announcement the Minister said;

"It is the desire of Government to create a prison environment consistent with standards appropriate for the modern era. The Government is determined to make improvements to the prison regime, and to reflect evolving expectations.

These changes demonstrate further progress in line with recommendations in HMCIP inspection reports and the core principles set out in the review of the separated regime published on 31 January. The safety of both prisoners and staff are the cornerstone of any regime, and I am satisfied that the developments being announced today will maintain the balance which has been very much in evidence since the introduction of the separated regime in 2004. They also demonstrate our commitment to a caring and decent regime recognising the importance of family ties in resettlement.”

The Minister also thanked the Prisoner Ombudsman for his ongoing work in reviewing the use of the passive drugs dog.

The two-tier regime will offer individual separated prisoners who are participating in developmental activity and who demonstrate they are free from drugs, the right to earn privileges including a level of weekly pay similar to those available for prisoners with enhanced status in the integrated regime.

A number of supporting measures are also being introduced which will provide separated prisoners with improved access to recreational and learning facilities, including the use of a new second education classroom for painting and crafts and more use of the Astroturf pitches. Additional books will be supplied as well. In addition separated prisoners will now be able to take their breakfast into the recreation room, should they so wish.

The new two-tier regime for separated prisoners will be introduced on 4th December while the other changes outlined today will be introduced as soon as practical in each of the three prison establishments here.


Notes to Editors

1. Previous announcements of 31 January and 15 May 2006 outlined the changes for separated prisoners at Maghaberry. The first release contained a detailed list of changes arising from the review of the separated regime which was carried out by the Prison Service in 2005.

2. The two-tier regime proposals were subject to consultation between January and May. It was announced in May that the two-tier regime would be introduced with the first tier remaining as at present, and the second attracting a higher regime payment and other privileges. Entry to this second tier will be dependent on the prisoner’s behaviour and engagement in developmental activities, as well as meeting the requirement to remain drug free. Prisoners on the second tier will receive an increased monetary allowance and privileges.

3 Early this summer, the Director of NIPS asked the Prisoner Ombudsman to carry out a review of the Prison Service practice and procedures in relation to the use of the passive drugs dog. The Ombudsman has been consulting widely and looking at best practice in other jurisdictions. While his Report will not be published until early in the New Year, he has been in discussion with the Director on his emerging findings and it was deemed appropriate to implement this recommendation at this stage.

4. Prior to this announcement where the passive drugs dog indicated on one member of a group, the visit, had it proceeded, would have been closed (i.e. with no physical contact between the visitors and the prisoner).

5. The provision of in-cell sanitation in the segregation units at both Magilligan and Hydebank Wood will mean that a prisoner returning from home leave who is indicated upon by the passive drugs dog, will no longer be placed in a dry cell (i.e. without access to in-cell sanitation); this will be the norm in all three establishments when the work is completed.

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