A fit for purpose, secure prisons estate is essential for the
rehabilitation of people in custody, Justice Minister has said.
The Minister was speaking after visiting Magilligan Prison where
she viewed the ongoing work on a new kitchen and café project and
plans for new prisoner accommodation.
The new kitchen and café forms part of the first phase of
essential capital works at Magilligan, delivering a safe, decent
and secure environment. The existing kitchen is a portacabin
structure, in place from 1990 and was originally designed to
supply food to 300 prisoners daily - Magilligan currently houses
500 prisoners.
Minister Long said: “Much of the Northern Ireland prison
estate is nearing the end of its useful economic life, with
Prison Service facing rising maintenance costs totalling £28
million over the last 8 years.
“These costs are in large part due to ageing
infrastructure. The Magilligan Prison estate in particular, has
been highlighted in various inspection reports as unfit for
purpose, with temporary buildings and Second World War Nissan
huts with deteriorating walls, roofs and flooring plus aging
plumbing, electrical and heating systems.”
Minister Long continued: “I fully understand that all of
this work requires considerable resource at a time when public
finances are extremely challenging. However, without
continued and long-term investment in our prisons, they will
further deteriorate.
“The new kitchen and café project at Magilligan will
deliver the largest working and training kitchen in the North
West, supporting prisoners to gain catering and hospitality
skills and qualifications and improve opportunities to gain
employment when they are released. A more energy efficient
facility will also reduce annual maintenance costs and contribute
to Government targets for achieving Net Zero Carbon
Emissions.”
Viewing plans for the proposed new accommodation at Halward
House, Minister Long said: “Due to significant cost
inflation, the Prison Service is proceeding using a phased
approach to develop a new 60 cell wing which will help meet the
demands of a rising prisoner population. An Outline
Business Case is at an early stage so timelines are not yet
available for the commencement of construction.”
“In the next few months a new 10-bed unit will open at
Magilligan for use by those individuals nearing the end of their
sentence and preparing for their resettlement back into the
community.”
A new Welcome and Visits Centre, Independent Living Units, new
Energy Centre, administration and Emergency Control Room building
are also part of a wider masterplan for Magilligan.
Elsewhere on the prison estate, NIPS are progressing proposals to
develop three independent living units on the Hydebank Wood
College and Women's Prison site, creating a step-down facility
for female prisoners. A business case is also currently being
prepared for a new Welcome and Visits Centre at Maghaberry
Prison.
said: “Prison is a
community within a wall where people live, work and visit. Long
term investment in its infrastructure is therefore essential to
support rehabilitation, enhance independence and improve safety
for staff and the people placed in the care of the Prison
Service.”
Notes to Editors:
- PHOTO CAPTIONS: Justice Minister is pictured during a visit to
Magilligan Prison where she viewed the ongoing work on a new
kitchen and café project and plans for new prisoner
accommodation. Included are Beverley Wall, Director General of
the Northern Ireland Prison Service, and Gary Milling, Governor
of Magilligan Prison.
- Magilligan Prison is a medium to low security prison which
holds male prisoners with six years or less to serve and who meet
the relevant security classification.
- The last major estate works at Magilligan was a new prison
store building in summer 2023. This plays a critical role in the
operational life of the prison, providing the dual functions of a
main store for the site and a prisoners' tuckshop, housing and
distributing a suitable range of goods purchased by prisoners to
meet their diverse needs.
