PRISON BOSS DIES TRIBUTES ARE PAID FOLLOWING DEATH OF MAGHABERRY GOVERNOR AGED 55
have been paid following the death of the governor of Maghaberry Prison.
Stephen Davis, who worked for the Prison Service for more than three decades, passed away after a short illness.
Mr Davis, who was 55, was one of a small number of people to have served as governor of the Maze, Magilligan, Hydebank Wood and Maghaberry, the high-security facility near Lisburn.
He joined the Northern Ireland Prison Service in 1985, initially serving as assistant governor of Crumlin Road Gaol.
Prison Service head Ronnie Armour led the tributes to Mr Davis.
“Over the past few months, Stephen Davis has battled his illness with great courage and determination and his untimely death has been felt across the Prison Service,” he said. “The Northern Ireland Prison Service was in Stephen Davis’s DNA.
“He cared passionately about the organisation, his colleagues and those for who he was responsible.
“He was immensely proud to be governor of Maghaberry and he served the entire community in Northern Ireland with professionalism and dedication throughout his career.
“Our service is the poorer for his passing but the richer for his part in it.”
Former Justice Minister David Ford said Mr Davis had played a key role in reforming the prison system.
“I got to know Steve Davis well during my time as minister. He was involved in a range of different duties, in each of which he provided clear leadership and helped drive forward the reform programme of the Prison Service,” Mr Ford said. “Even during his illness he led the team at Maghaberry Prison with disTRIBUTES tinction and professionalism. He was a valued colleague to those working in prisons and the partner groups and cared deeply for those in custody for who he was responsible.
“His loss will be most keenly felt by his family and close friends. I extend to them all my deepest sympathy.”
Ulster Unionist justice spokesman Doug Beattie also spoke of his sadness at the news of Mr Davis’s passing.
“It goes without saying that many people never see the work that our Prison Service do,” Mr Beattie said.
“The dedication, commitment and professionalism of staff is at times taken for granted, whilst they often operate under the most difficult of circumstances, but the whole of society benefits from their work.
“As the governor of HMP Maghaberry Steve Davis was dedicated to the profession he had given his life too.
“He loved his job dearly, was extremely proud of the officers who worked with him and he was protective of how society viewed their work and their contribution to society.
“With the loss of Steve the Prison Service has lost a hugely influential figure who will be hard to replace.”
❝ He provided clear leadership and helped drive forward the reform of the Prison Service