Maghaberry Prison

Standby Search Team

The main task of the standby search team is to assist the smooth running and good order of the prison. The team is responsible for helping to prevent prohibited articles being brought into the prison through searching persons and vehicles entering and leaving the establishment as well as searching prisoners and buildings etc to detect the presence of contraband in the prison

Staff in the standby search team may be deployed anywhere in the establishment to control and restrain violent prisoners who must for their own safety or the safety of others be removed from the main prison population. This group of staff also man the Punishment and Segregation Unit.

The team works closely with other departments in the prison, for example, the dog section.