Magilligan Prison

Basic Regimes

Progressive Regimes

Introduction

The Progressive Regimes & Earned Privileges Scheme (PREPS) has operated in Magilligan since 7 May 2001. This system is similar to that introduced at Maghaberry in November 2000. It is based on a number of reports submitted by a personal officer or their relief, as well as reports from any other member of staff throughout the prison (e.g residential staff, Senior officers, court escort staff, instructors and teachers).

Personal officer

A personal officer, as well as writing regular reports, monitors a prisoner' s progress and is available to provide advice and guidance during their sentence.

Levels of regime

There are 3 regime levels

BASIC REGIME for those prisoners who:

Fail to demonstrate a satisfactory working relationship with staff, other professionals and fellow prisoners.
Do not work
Do not address their offending behaviour
Have a consistently bad attitude
Have an unacceptable disciplinary record
(Note Prisoners on Basic regime are not allowed In-Cell TV)

STANDARD REGIME for those prisoners who:

Demonstrate a positive working relationship with staff, other professionals and fellow prisoners.
Participate in prison work
Participate in a Sentence Management Plan or agree to participate in offending behaviour programmes
Participate in a pre release programme (For those who have less than 6 months to serve on transfer to Magilligan)

ENHANCED REGIME for those prisoners who:

Have consistently demonstrated a good working relationship with staff, other professionals and with fellow prisoners
Participate in prison work
Participate in Sentence Management Plan
Have caused or pose no discipline or control problems
Have completed or are currently participating in offending behaviour programmes
Have consistently demonstrated a mature attitude to their time spent in prison custody
Successfully pass Voluntary Drug Test and agree to random testing thereafter

The three regimes offer different levels of earnings and privileges.

Assessment

Regular reports are written by personal officers . For prisoners on the basic and standard regime reports are completed on a weekly basis. For those on enhanced the assessments are recorded monthly. Reports may also be written by other staff outside the residential areas which will be taken into consideration when making a regime promotion or demotion.

Promotion

From Basic to Standard:

A minimum of four consecutive favourable personal officer reports with recommendation for promotion
One month clear disciplinary record
Fulfill all other stated criteria for the standard regime

From Standard to Enhanced:

A minimum of eight consecutive favourable personal officer reports with recommendation for promotion
Three month clear disciplinary record
Fulfill all other stated criteria for the enhanced regime
Progression to the enhanced level must be accompanied by continuous exceptional behaviour. Behaviour will be judged on areas such as conduct, personal hygiene, participation in work, education and programmes as well as attitude to staff and other prisoners.

It is also a necessity for prisoners to actively take part in their sentence management plan to be eligible for the enhanced regime.

Demotion

From Enhanced to Standard:

Two adverse reports in any three month period
Fail a Voluntary Drug Test
Found guilty on adjudication of one serious or two lesser offences
Failure to return from a period of temporary release
Failure to fulfill stated criteria for the enhanced regime

From Standard to Basic:

Two adverse reports in any three month period
Found guilty on adjudication of one serious or two lesser offences
Failure to fulfill stated criteria for the standard regime
Prisoners are informed of the general content of each report, particularly adverse reports providing them with an opportunity to improve their behaviour and if necessary comment on any report.

The reasons for any change in regime is given to prisoners and they are given to comment on any report in writing using a letter sheet. These comments do not represent a formal complaint, merely the chance for a balanced view for each report if requested.

Foyleview

Only prisoners on the enhanced regime will be considered for Foyleview
Prisoners deselected from Foyleview will normally be placed on the standard regime.

Adjudication awards under preps

PREPS will affect all prisoners at Magilligan, and the regime level may be altered if individuals are found guilty as a result of a Governor's adjudication.

If you are found guilty the adjudicating Governor will consider whether it is a serious or lesser offence . One serious offence or two lesser offences in any three month period will result in you being placed on a lower regime. Prisoners found guilty of a particularly serious offence may be reduced to the basic regime. For the progressive regime assessment the first charge of a lesser offence will not be considered after a period of six months. A full list of the offences can be obtained from personal officers.

NB these are for general guidance only, and the categories of serious or lesser, may alter to reflect the severity or circumstances of the offence.

Appeals

Prisoners may appeal a decision in writing to the Residential Governor (using the regime appeal form) within 7 days from the date of decision. The residential Governor will hear the appeal and reach a decision within 7 days of the appeal being lodged.

Earnings

The table below gives a summary of earnings (assuming 10 sessions are worked)