Brendan McGuigan

Brendan McGuigan, the outgoing chief inspector of criminal justice in Northern Ireland, said he was “frustrated” by the pace of progress in implementing recommendations made five years ago.

Inspectors from Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland (CJI) and the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) have published their findings on standards at Hydebank Wood, Maghaberry and Magilligan.

Since recommendations on prisoner safety were issued in 2014, 10 prisoners in Northern Ireland have taken their own lives and three have died in connection with drugs.

Mr McGuigan said that while the partnership between the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) and South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust (SEHSCT) had improved at an operational level, difficulties at a strategic level had contributed to the slow pace of progress.

He said: “We recommend the senior management teams of both organisations should immediately review their joint working and governance arrangements and agree an action plan to address key issues identified in this inspection, including the implementation of death in custody recommendations made by the Prisoner Ombudsman for Northern Ireland.”

Mr McGuigan added: “I acknowledge there have been a number of incidents where the prompt actions and interventions of staff have undoubtedly saved lives and that there are many committed and dedicated individuals who are working to ensure the prisoners within their care are kept safe and secure.

“We must never lose sight of the fact that prison does not offer a therapeutic environment for vulnerable individuals. Therefore, it is essential the NIPS and the SEHSCT continue to develop their partnership working, identify those really vulnerable prisoners committed to their care and address the underlying cause of that vulnerability.

“Maintaining the safety of prisoners is a challenge and it remains one of the greatest areas of risk for the prison service.”