Maghaberry Prison

Independent Monitoring Board

Mission Statement:
"To enhance the quality of prison life by working to ensure fairness and accountability in prison".

The Independent Monitoring Board at Maghaberry Prison consists of 20 men and women from differing backgrounds, appointed by the Secretary of State for a three year term, up to a maximum period of twelve years. The Board elects a Chairman and Vice-Chairman annually. The maximum tenure of office is three years. In addition to these positions, a Training Officer is elected to oversee training and induction for new members and ongoing education and training for experienced members.

Prison and Young Offender Centre Rules (Northern Ireland) 1995 state that the Independent Monitoring Board must satisfy itself as to:

• the treatment of prisoners including provision for the healthcare and other welfare while in prison;
• the facilities available to prisoners to allow them to make purposeful use of their time; and
• the cleanliness and adequacy of prison premises.

In addition the Independent Monitoring Board has responsibilities to:

• visit the prison regularly;
• consider requests and complaints made by prisoners;
• enquire into alleged offences against prison discipline (Rule 32);
• report matters of concern to the Governor, or in serious cases to the Secretary of State; and
• enquire into any matter that the Secretary of State refers to it.

The Board is independent from the Northern Ireland Prison Service and has a Secretariat who provide administrative support. The Secretariat can be contacted at 22nd Floor, Windsor House, Bedford Street, Belfast telephone 028 90 443998.

The Board meets monthly in the Prison establishment. Prior to the meeting the Board can be given a talk and presentation by a member of staff on a specific area of work within Maghaberry Prison, or more generally within the Northern Ireland Prison Service. The Governor presents his monthly report, members raise any matters of concern that have arisen during the month and discuss general prison issues involving the Board.

A weekly rota is arranged to ensure that two Board members visit the prison each week. During these visits members visit prisoner who have notified a request to speak to a Independent Monitoring Board member, and also visit the special area of interest and responsibility that each member is allocated to for a period of a year.

The Independent Monitoring Board produces an Annual Report each year for the period 1 April - 31 March. This covers all areas within the prison and highlights positive and encouraging work, along with constructive recommendations on specific matters.

Responsibility for adjudication of prisoners who breach prison discipline was withdrawn from the Board from 3 October 2000, and replaced with guidelines for monitoring the Governor's adjudications, both through observation and records.

Members are regularly informed and updated on all aspects of the work within Maghaberry Prison. They welcome the opportunity to speak to staff, management and all those with an interest in enhancing and improving standards and the quality of life within Maghaberry Prison.