Paramilitary Inmates Don't Receive Appropriate Resettlement Services

Paramilitary prisoners in Northern Ireland have not received appropriate development and resettlement services, according to a report published by the Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland (CJI).

The report, which was published on Thursday, 31 May, said: "It remained unsatisfactory that the separated prisoners did not receive appropriate prisoner development and resettlement services, although the CJI recognised that this matter was unlikely to be fully resolved in the absence of a functioning Northern Ireland Assembly and justice minister."

The Government commissioned a review of prison conditions following protests in 2003.

Prisoners in the separated regime did not in general choose to avail of the process for resettlement, or opt for support to reduce their risk of harm, likelihood of offending and prepare them for return to the community, the inspectorate report said.

The Stormont Agreement and Implementation Plan, A Fresh Start said the Justice Department should order an independent review of the separated regime.

It also recommended that the DoJ should ensure appropriate learning and training opportunities were provided to the prisoners in the separated regime.

(CD/LM)