AQO 7610/11-15

Mr Stewart Dickson
Alliance Party
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 05/02/2015
Answered On Date: 17/02/2015
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Justice for an update on the development of facilities for female prisoners at Hydebank Wood.

Answer:

Following approval of the Strategic Outline Case by the Department of Finance and Personnel in July 2014, NIPS Officials are in the process of finalising an Outline Business Case for a new women’s facility at Hydebank.

I am pleased to advise the House that work to construct a step-down facility on the Hydebank Wood site for women prisoners nearing the end of their sentence and preparing to return to the community has started. This facility should be available by the late summer.

Work to upgrade the facilities in Ash House was completed in September 2014. The new facility, known as Ornella, provides a range of additional educational, training and support services for female prisoners.