AQO 2840/11-15

Mr Stewart Dickson
Alliance Party
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 25/10/2012
Answered On Date: 13/11/2012
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Justice to outline the next steps in the development of the Prison Service Estates Strategy.

Answer:

A public consultation on the Northern Ireland Prison Service’s Outline Estate Strategy was launched on 7 June this year. The written consultation formally closed on 28 September and since then NIPS has hosted a number of workshops with consultees to explore some of the issues raised, as well as public meetings and meetings with staff.

Throughout this consultation process I have been impressed by the level of engagement and the quality of input from stakeholders. The concerns and the suggestions which have been raised have been useful and insightful and are helping to challenge assumptions and to shape the strategy.

In response to some of the issues raised I have written to those consultees who have participated in workshops inviting further engagement on a range of themes, including how best to build in flexibility to our management of women prisoners in order to best meet their needs; how to put in place an effective approach, based on learning and development, to work with young offenders; and how best to meet the needs of the adult male population, including whether any of those needs might be served by locating a prison in the North West, rather than in a more central location. I have also met with three Coleraine, Limavady and Ballymoney Borough Councils and have invited further submissions from them on whether there is scope to build on and improve rehabilitation opportunities for prisoners in the North West.

NIPS’ strategy for the development of the prison estate is an opportunity to create an environment which will promote rehabilitation, reduce risk and enhance public safety. That is why I want to ensure that all consultation responses are properly considered and evaluated before making final decisions. However, I hope to be able to make an interim announcement on the way forward before the end of November.