North's rule-breaking prisoners too often kept in cells - report

Prisoners in the North are confined to their cells too frequently after breaking the rules, it was revealed today.

There is little evidence to suggest that this is changing offending behaviour but is used as a punishment for abusive language or possessing something which is forbidden, the report from the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) added.

The Service faced criticism last month after Catholics in prison in the North were found to receive fewer privileges than their Protestant counterparts.

The study said: “There is an over-reliance on the use of cellular confinement with little or no evidence to indicate that it is effectively changing behaviour.

“The adjudication (disciplinary) process is often viewed primarily as a system for punishment rather than for changing behaviour.”

The dossier ’Inside View’ said there was little evidence alternatives to initiating the disciplinary process had been explored between prison officers and prisoners and consequently the move took place too frequently.

There were 1,885 disciplinary hearings in 2007. A Catholic inmate amassed 48 during the year. Over 60% of all cases produced confinement to cells.

“Officers noted that these (multiple) cases were the most difficult to address as they not only affect the atmosphere of the prison, but they take up a large proportion of time which it was felt could be better utilised,” it added.

The report for the Service said the practice contrasted unfavourably with the Republic of Ireland’s regime. However, the workforce in the south is younger with more qualifications.

It added the Prison Service in the North had not recruited since 1994.

“As previously noted there is an older more traditional staff group who have had an ethos of being security-focused and maintaining a physical and more importantly an emotional distance from their charges.”

Statistics indicate the number of Catholics disciplined is high.

The review team found no evidence of systematic bias. But there was often little recorded information to justify movement by a prisoner within the scheme for earning privileges.

“This absence or poor quality of information and lack of consistency needs to be addressed as this can lead to potential for bias.”

Steps being taken to improve the disciplinary process include encouraging better relations with prisoners and training in conflict de-escalation. Data is being collected on the outcomes of adjudication processes.

A spokesman for the Prison Service said: “The Inside View did conclude that there was little evidence of alternatives to initiation of the adjudication process and the Prison Service is currently taking steps to explore alternative methods of resolution, particularly in relation to less serious issues.”