THE union which represents the North’s prison staff has described the conditions at Magilligan Prison staff face as “atrocious”.
Prison Officers’ Association chairman Finlay Spratt said he was massively disappointed that a promise to replace the facility had not progressed in three years.
In 2013, the then-Justice Minister David Ford allayed fears that a new prison would be built in the greater Belfast area when he announced that the Magilligan facility would be replaced on site, safeguarding the 450 jobs at the jail in Co Derry.
But that project has hit the buffers as the £130 million needed to complete the scheme has not materialised.
Said Mr Spratt: “It is extremely disappointing that there has not been any movement at all on the new prison building at Magilligan – especially when millions of pounds have been approved for Maghaberry.
“Magilligan is in a far worse state – in fact, it is not fit for purpose, so Magilligan should have been prioritised over Maghaberry.
“The conditions our members are working in are at times atrocious. In hot weather like this, it is like being in a sauna, while in the wintertime, it is far too cold.
“I really would have thought that three years after it was decided to keep the prison at Magilligan, some progress would have been made.”
The campaign to keep the prison facility at the same site secured widespread cross-community support, with politicians across the divide among those arguing that the loss of almost 450 jobs and the £10m the facility contributes to the local economy would have devastating consequences.
SDLP East Derry MLA Gerry Mullan called on the new Justice Minister and East Derry MLA Clare Sugden to make the issue her priority.
He had highlighted the issue of the new jail on Derry Daily last week.
Mr Mullan added: “It’s critical that we see a new build at the site to relieve pressure on staff and prisoners, offering them a genuine opportunity for rehabilitation in a modern prison environment,” said Mr Mullan.
“The Justice Minister must announce plans for the way forward on Magilligan as soon as possible.”
Last year, the Co Derry jail was heavily criticised in an inspection report.
The report said more needs to be done to crack down on the use of illegal drugs by inmates.
It stated performance had slipped in the five years since its last inspection and action is needed to prevent further decline.
Inspectors acknowledged that the jail has good relationships between staff and prisoners with ”reasonable levels of safety”.
However, there was concern over the ”apparent lack of action” against prisoners using drugs.
It says drug dealing in the jail was “high” and there was no punishment for those caught.
The report from the Criminal Justice Inspection, the first since 2010, called for improvements to be made at the Co Derry prison.
Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice Brendan McGuigan said “greater efforts” are needed and opportunities need to be taken.
“To provide effective rehabilitation in Magilligan, the Prison Service needs to drive forward innovative solutions such as the development of social enterprise opportunities and ensure those delivering services in education and training are providing effective and relevant programmes.
“The Prison Service cannot of course achieve effective rehabilitation in isolation, and there are opportunities for local employers and education and skills providers to assist.
“With greater efforts and contribution from a range of local providers alongside the efforts of the Prison Service, I believe more effective rehabilitation could be provided which would benefit all.”
