Call For Prisoner Safety To Be Improved

The Northern Ireland Prison Service (NISP) and the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust (SEHSCT) is being urged to improve how they tackle issues of self-harm, suicide, bullying and drug misuse in local prisons.

Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland (CJI) and the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) have called for the improvements to be made.

The recommendations are included in a joint report on the safety of prisoners published today.

"Serving time in prison can be relatively straightforward for some offenders. But for those prisoners with mental health issues, personality disorders, drug or alcohol addiction or learning difficulties, it can be a time of great vulnerability," said Brendan McGuigan, Chief Inspector of the CJI.

"The safety of prisoners is not just about preventing deaths in custody - it's about ensuring appropriate care and support is provided to protect and support those who are at risk."

"Joint strategies between the NIPS and the SEHSCT should be introduced to address the inter-linked areas of suicide, self-harm, bullying and violence reduction and the availability and access to illegal and prescription drugs," said the Chief Inspector.

(CD/MH)