New Prison Governor for Maghaberry

David Savage (left), new Governor at Maghaberry Prison, is pictured with Ronnie Armour, Director General of the Northern Ireland Prison Service. Picture: Michael Cooper

He took up the post at the beginning of the month, having served as Deputy Governor at the Prison since 2019.

Governor Savage takes over from Governor David Kennedy who has been promoted to Director of Prisons at Prison Service Headquarters.

Welcoming the appointment Director General Ronnie Armour said, “David joined the Service in 1997 as an Auxiliary Officer and has worked his way up through various grades to this position.

“He has played a pivotal role in Maghaberry over the past number of years and in particular through the pandemic.

“He brings a wealth of experience to the position of Governor at Maghaberry and I have no doubt he will continue the work of his predecessor David Kennedy, in progressing the Prison as it supports and challenges the people in our care to change.”

On taking up the post Governor Savage said, “While there will be challenges ahead, I am focused on working with my colleagues in Maghaberry, as well as the many partners who support us, to keep rehabilitation at the centre of our work.

“At the core of that will be supporting the men in my care to address their offending behaviour and to prepare them for their return to the community.

“Initially I will focus on our recovery from the pandemic to ensure that is done in a safe and sustainable way.

“ Alongside that I want to drive Maghaberry forward to ensure as we play our part in helping to build a safer community in Northern Ireland.”

Mr Savage joined the Service in March 1997 as an Auxiliary Officer and on completion of his training was posted to Maze Prison where he worked in support roles in Transport, Visits and Operations.

He has also worked in Magilligan and Hydebank – as well as the Prisoner Escort and Court Custody Service.

He became Deputy Governor at Maghaberry in September 2019.

In the same year he was awarded a Butler Trust Award for his efforts in achieving significant change within HMP Maghaberry and this was followed by the award of the HRH Princess Royal’s Award for Outstanding Achievement within Custodial Settings – a first for a Governor in Northern Ireland.