Sharp fall in prison violence

The number of violent incidents in Northern Ireland’s prisons fell dramatically this year, it was revealed today.

According to the Northern Ireland Prison Service’s annual report there have been none of the major disturbances that characterised previous years when large groups of paramilitaries were incarcerated.

A Prison Service spokesman said that while the method of measuring the level of attacks has changed, it was clear that the atmosphere inside the prisons had improved dramatically.

‘‘The number of breaches of order and control have reduced considerably and there have been fewer serious incidents.

‘‘If you have 400 fewer prisoners it is certainly a contributory factor,’’ he said.

Figures contained in the report show that there were 230 violent incidents, 204 cases of damage to property and 283 incidents of trafficking or possession of prohibited items.

The year 2000-01 saw the biggest shake-up in the service’s history, with closure of the Maze Prison, the release of the vast majority of terrorist prisoners and 1,100 staff redundancies.

But Director General Robin Halward said despite the major upheaval, it was the service’s most successful year since becoming an agency in 1995.

Mr Halward said the service had met all of its nine key performance targets.

‘‘It is a measure of the hard work and dedication of the staff of the Northern Ireland Prison Service that we have succeeded - an exceptional achievement, considering the drastic changes the service was still going through.’’

The report reveals that the service reduced its annual running costs by 36%, reduced sickness days by almost 30% and improved living conditions and educational opportunities.

Mr Halward added: ‘‘The conditions and regimes provided for prisoners in Northern Ireland compare with any other prison system.

‘‘There is no overcrowding, prisoners enjoy comprehensive regimes and work and educational opportunities while prison staff have benefited from an average of over eight days training and development during the year.’’

Finlay Spratt of the Prison Officers Association agreed that it had been a positive year for the service.

He welcomed the fact that there had been a noticeable fall in attacks on his members.

‘‘But there are many things to do yet. I would like to have some of the 36% cost reduction being reflected in prison officers’ pay.

‘‘The contribution made by prison staff over the last year is shown in that report. It shows they are working well and the new management team are certainly a breath of fresh air.’’

The report was welcomed by the Minister of State, Jane Kennedy.

‘‘I congratulate the Northern Ireland Prison Service on meeting all of its nine key targets in 2000-01.

‘‘This is the service’s sixth report since becoming an Agency and it represents the significant progress being made in achieving targets whilst going through a very testing period of change,’’ she said.