A local assembly member has expressed his concern over the future of 450 jobs in a County Londonderry prison that could be in jeopardy as a result of a current review of the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS).

Ulster Unionist assemblyman for the area David McClarty said he was “deeply worried” that if the prison was to close there would be serious consequences for the area.

He said: “The potential impact of 450 lost jobs is alarming and so too would the effect of even 300 families deciding to relocate – 300 houses on the local property market, children leaving local schools and a major dent in the retail market when staff move and spend money elsewhere.”

The assembly member for East Londonderry revealed that the review of NIPS estate has three proposals on the table, two of them suggesting the closure of Magilligan. One scenario would be the transfer of the estate to Maghaberry Prison and Hydebank Wood Young Offenders’ Centre while the other suggests the closure of both Magilligan and Hydebank with transfer solely to Maghaberry.

Mr McClarty said: “Closing Magilligan would mean a major upheaval to local staff whereas the closure of Hydebank Wood would have less effect on the local community as all staff there live in the greater Belfast area and would not necessarily have to relocate.

“There are many factors and issues for keeping Magilligan open, not least the security issues. The prison is a medium to low risk facility, holding prisoners in the last five years of their sentence or less. It can easily accommodate high-risk prisoners as the estate allows for such change.

“The view that Magilligan is a temporary facility is a nonsense because it celebrates its 30th anniversary this week. A rebuild and restructuring programme is required and would be a cheaper option than any new build at Hydebank Wood or Maghaberry.”

Mr. McClarty pointed out that a recent inspection by Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons fully vindicated Magilligan as a successful, forward thinking prison.

“I know that the Prison Service has to provide value for money and I believe the staff at Magilligan give that value. They are committed and dedicated professionals who work closely as a team to achieve their aim of successfully rehabilitating the prisoners so as not to re-offend, thereby saving the taxpayer a considerable amount of money.

“It is my heartfelt plea that Magilligan Prison will be recognised by the review team for the excellence of its staff and its past achievements and that it will be allowed to progress and develop well into the future.”

(AMcE)