Search Begins For New Prisoner Ombudsman

Pauline McCabe, Northern Ireland's Prisoner Ombudsman, will step down when her term in office comes to an end in May.

Mrs McCabe took up the post in September 2008, replacing Brian Coulter, who was the first person to hold the post when appointed in 2005.

Mrs McCabe's initial three-year appointment was subsequently extended for two years.

She is unable to seek reappointment and the process to find her replacement has already begun.

"It has been a privilege to do this job and to be part of influencing the much needed reforms in the prison service,” Mrs McCabe said.

"However there are still a number of important reports on deaths in custody pending and my final annual report in May which will provide a much fuller account of my time in office and a review of the work undertaken."

The Prisoner Ombudsman is appointed by the minister of justice for Northern Ireland and is completely independent of the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS).

(H)