Maghaberry Prison

Mission Statement

This prison protects the community by holding prisoners who have been sent to us by the courts.

We will operate a secure, safe and humane regime which balances the needs of the individual against risk to and from others.

We will try to prevent reoffending by co-ordinated sentence planning linked to effective programmes to deal with offending behaviour.

 For prisoners

We will improve literacy and job skills, enhance employment opportunities, and assist their return to the community.

 For our staff

We will provide a working environment which reflects their difficult role and minimises any risk to their physical and psychological well-being and we will develop and use their talents to best effect in delivering the work of the prison.

 Values

In seeking to achieve the goals set in our mission statement we will strive for the following values:

 Integrity

This must be central to all that we do. We will meet our legal obligations, always act with honesty and openness, and use the resources provided to us by the taxpayer effectively.

 Commitment

By our staff and to our staff. They are our most expensive and important asset. They will be enabled to develop and use their abilities to the full, and will be held accountable for their performance. Teamwork will be our key operating principle. Staff will be treated with fairness, respect and openness. We will actively seek their views and opinions. Their safety and well-being will be a prime concern.

 Care for prisoners

Prisoners will be treated with fairness, justice and respect as individuals. They have been sent to prison as punishment, not to be punished, and they are entitled to recognised standards of treatment while in prison. We believe that they are able to change. They will be given reasons and, where possible, involved in discussion about matters affecting them. We will involved their families and others in the community as fully as possible.

 Equality of opportunity

We are committed to equality of opportunity and treatment and the elimination of discrimination whether this is for reasons of ethnic background, colour, gender, sexual, or religious persuasion, or disability.

 Innovation and improvement

These are essential to the success of this prison. We all have to accept change and strive to deliver continuing improvements in quality and efficiency.