Ford consults on future of prison estate

The strategy, part of a fundamental programme of reform currently underway across every aspect of the Prison Service, looks at what the prison accommodation needs will be in the future.

Proposals include development of a secure college for young offenders and the development of appropriate services and facilities for the management of women offenders. The strategy also proposes the development of a new prison in a central location and the subsequent decommissioning of Magilligan Prison from 2018 onwards.

Central to all of the proposals is the development of a modern and fit for purpose prison estate which supports the rehabilitation of offenders.

David Ford said: “Much of the debate on the prison Estate Strategy has centred on the proposal to decommission Magilligan Prison and build a new prison on land adjacent to Maghaberry.

“While I understand the initial response, it is important that the strategy is considered in its entirety and not viewed as a single issue.”

The Minister said that the Prison Service estate needs substantial investment to address the needs of the entire prison population.

David Ford said: “The vast majority of people who are sent to prison will one day return to society. To make society safer, the prison service must work with offenders to lower the risk of them returning to crime when they come to the end their sentence. This requires an estate that is fit for present-day needs.

“The proposals for the development of a secure college for young offenders and the creation of appropriate facilities for female prisoners are central to the reducing re-offending agenda.”

Due to the wide-ranging scope of the Outline Estate Strategy, the Minister has extended the consultation period to 16 weeks until 28 September 2012..

Details of the consultation are available here