Maghaberry Prison

Accommodation

The male accommodation currently comprises six cell blocks: Bann, Erne, Foyle and Lagan each with 108 cells divided into 6 units of 18 and two accommodation blocks, Bush and Roe, which can each house 96 prisoners in single cell accommodation were built in 2005. These two blocks, built at a cost of approximately £9 million, are modelled on the design of HMP Full Sutton near York in England. The blocks each comprise two wings of 48 cells and feature wide landings leading from a central administration area, which allows for easier supervision of inmates.

Other features of Bush and Roe include a modern smoke extraction system, facilities for evening education classes and three on-site interview rooms. There are also fully equipped laundry facilities, multi-purpose gymnasium facilities and medical treatment rooms.

All cells in the prison have integral sanitation and all prisoners may rent an in-cell TV as a privilege.

All adult males entering the prison system will be committed to Maghaberry. All new committals, those awaiting transfer to Magilligan, fine defaulters and vulnerable prisoners are held in Lagan house.

Currently remand prisoners are accommodated in Bush and Roe. Erne house accommodates the majority of the life sentence prisoners in Maghaberry with Bann housing all other sentenced inmates.

Gymnasium

A fully equipped gymnasium provides a wide range of activities and includes a weights room as well as main sports hall which can accommodate a full size indoor tennis court. There are also two grass and two all-weather sports pitches.

The remainder of the estate includes a centralised kitchen, visits centre, chapel, dog section and library.

Regime

Maghaberry operates an integrated regime for around 90% of the prisoners accommodated in the prison. Following a review of safety in the prison, conducted in 2003, the Government accepted the main recommendation that loyalist and republican prisoners should be separated from each other and the remainder of the prison population. Prisoners moved into dedicated separated accommodation on two landings in Bush and Roe Houses in March 2004. Approximately 80 prisoners are accommodated in separated accommodation.

The integrated regime offers all prisoners the opportunity to work, to be trained in work skills, to partake in education and to make good use of their free time. In addition prisoners may participate in programmes which address the causes of their offending behaviour such as anger management, alcohol abuse, sex offending etc.

The regime for separated prisoners is set out in a Compact.

An induction/assessment programme operates in Lagan House. All inmates undergo a 4 week period of assessment and training with remand prisoners undertaking a 1 week period of induction and Magilligan transfers taking a basic induction course.

As well as outlining the general rules of the prison, the programme provides inmates with training in areas such as basic hygiene and drugs awareness and familiarises them with educational, training and employment opportunities which are available within the establishment. In the course of the induction inmates develop a sentence management plan structured to their needs. The plan helps identify a suitable regime within the prison for the prisoner.

Maghaberry introduced a Progressive Regimes and Earned Privileges Scheme (PREPS) in November 2000. Three levels of regime were introduced: basic, standard and enhanced. Basic regimes offer the least earnings and privileges with standard and enhanced providing progressively more. Privileges and incentives are earned by prisoners through good behaviour and performance and removed if the prisoner fails to maintain acceptable levels of behaviour.