DUP Oppose Closure Of Magilligan Prison

The DUP has questioned plans to spend £250 million on the Northern Ireland prisons estate.

These plans were brought forward in the Northern Ireland Prison Service Outline Estate Strategy. Both the Party's East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell and the Chairman of the Justice Committee Paul Givan have raised questions about the Strategy.

Commenting DUP Chairman of the Justice Committee Paul Givan said: "No one is opposed to spending money to ensure that our prisons are secure and fit for purpose however my constituents will question if it is appropriate to spend £250m on improving facilities for criminals at a time when hospitals and schools are facing pressures. David Ford has failed to convince the community that such a spend is necessary.

"Only a few weeks ago the Justice Minister told the Assembly that prisoners have mobile phones, digital TVs, games consoles and other luxuries in prison. Many will understandably conclude that our prisoners have better facilities than some of the elderly in our community.

"The Department of Justice needs to take a long hard look at this document. Some of the proposals are unaffordable and unacceptable. I am opposed to the proposal to close Magilligan. The document does not outline a rationale, which would justify such a major decision."

East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell has also opposed a recommendation within the Strategy to close HM Prison Magilligan by 2018. Commenting Mr Campbell said: "In 2007 similar recommendations were discussed. I opposed the idea then and I oppose it now. The Prison Service eventually then came to the conclusion that it would not make sense to close Magilligan.

"It is sensible both economically and also logistically to have a prison in the north-west as well as a prison in the east of the Province. This facility provides crucial employment in that community and such concerns should be to the forefront of this Alliance Minister’s mind as he considers the Strategy.

"£4m has already been spent on Magilligan and the Strategy outlines plans to spend another £2m. It would be ludicrous to spend £6million on the existing site, close it and then buy land to build a new Prison."

(CD/GK)