Justice Committee Visits Maghaberry Prison Regarding Mental Health

Members of the Assembly’s Justice Committee have visited Maghaberry Prison to find out more about the mental health services it provides to prisoners. (17 October)

As one of the Committee’s strategic priorities is mental health within the criminal justice system, members wanted to understand the extent of the problem and learn more about the range of support services on offer at the prison. They wanted to understand how accessible these services are and whether or not they have successful outcomes.

Speaking after the visit, the Chair of the Committee for Justice, Joanne Bunting MLA said: “When we were first briefed by the Director General of Prisons earlier this year, she highlighted for us the significant numbers of prisoners with mental ill-health.  A separate briefing from the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) outlined some serious concerns it held around the mental health of some of those held in Maghaberry.  We were eager to better understand the impact of this on both the prison population and Prison Officers. 

“Our visit today was prompted by that evidence from the IMB and the DG.  Being here has given us the opportunity to talk to the Governor and her staff in greater depth and see the facilities for ourselves.

“We viewed the Donard Centre which offers therapeutic activity and interventions for those prisoners with mental ill-health. And we also talked to the management team about other issues including how prisoners find it difficult to plan for the future and access appropriate educational courses, ahead of their release.

“Members also had the opportunity to discuss rehabilitation, healthcare, the prison’s separated regime, funding and prison capacity.

“We also explored issues relating to the welfare and wellbeing of Officers who, on a daily basis, are dealing with a prison population affected by mental ill-health, the toll that can take and the support mechanisms available to them.

“It has been a useful day and one which has given us all greater insight and understanding into a range of very important issues.

“We appreciate the time taken by prison officials to brief the Committee and answer our questions.”

ENDS

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