INSIDE INFORMATION

Maghaberry prison officers given advice ahead of inspection

PRISON officers in Northern Ireland’s high-security jail have been armed with information regarding an unannounced inspection.

Once described as the most dangerous jails ever visited by Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons, Maghaberry is now on full alert for a follow-up.

But warders say chiefs believe they have the facility under control following the distribution of a leaflet.

The question is posed: “When will the inspection take place?”

And answered: “It is an unannounced inspection, so we don’t know.”

The leaflets have now been distributed around the jail and an officer said: “They’ve been the subject of more graffiti than a public toilet.”

The leaflet is entitled “Are you ready for inspection? What you need to know about the unannounced inspection at Maghaberry Prison.”

Staff, who deal with the country’s most hardened convicted criminals, can read up on advice compiled by the Justice Department and Northern Ireland Prison Service about how to handle the inspectors.

They have been advised not to be modest and explain what they are doing to challenge prisoners to change their ways.

A prison officer said: “We are all feeling so much better now that we have a wee leaflet. It’s absolutely genius. It provides us with five questions and seven answers. So pretty excellent all round.

“We have prisoners trying to kill themselves, staff members under

YESTERDAY

extreme pressure, colleagues facing some very dangerous situations while dealing with a staffing and experience crisis, others suffering physical and mental health concerns and we are expected to just get on with it and pretend everything is wonderful.

“HMP Maghaberry is not a place anyone wants to be, not prisoners and very few prison staff. Problems continue, little changes and the inspectors think they have seen everything and they have not – yet. But sure now we have a leaflet so it’s all good. If this is what the DOJ thinks will ensure the next unannounced inspection will go like a dream, they need to have a rethink.”

The final question of the leaflet asks: “What can [you] do to make sure we get the best inspection possible?”

The advice on the Justice Department leaflet states:

Tell inspectors what you are doing to challenge and support people in custody to change.

Don’t be modest – tell them about the excellent work you are doing.

Explain everything you do. The inspectors could make recommendations for something you are already doing.

A spokesman for the Prison Service said: “NIPS is committed to driving continuous improvement. The four ‘healthy prison’ tests: safety, respect, purposeful activity and resettlement, form the basis for prison inspections and providing information to staff helps them understand and prepare for the inspection process.”

PROBE Maghaberry