AQW 14661/22-27


Ms Joanne Bunting
Democratic Unionist Party
East Belfast


Tabled Date: 09/09/2024
Answered On Date: 12/09/2024
Priority Written: Yes


Question:
To ask the Minister of Justice (i) for a breakdown of costs and specification of the new kitchen and cafe in HMP Magilligan; (ii) to detail the extent of the increases in price; (iii) whether the specification has been reduced as a result in the increase of price; (iv) , on completion, how these facilities will compare to those in other prisons; and (v) whether there is an intention to increase prisoner numbers in HMP Magilligan as part of the long-term strategy for prisons and the redevelopment of the site.


Answer:
The current estimated cost of procurement and construction of a new kitchen and café at Magilligan Prison is £13.3m (including optimism bias and capital inflation).
The Northern Ireland Prison Service are not in a position to provide a more detailed breakdown of costs or specification at this time. The preferred option has not yet been approved, nor has the expenditure associated with the Outline Business Case been considered by either the Department of Justice or the Department of Finance.
Due to significant cost inflation, all capital cost projects, including this project, have been subject to price increases. However, due to changes in design and scope of the project, costs have been reduced from initial estimates. The specification of the project has not been affected by these changes.
The new facility will provide a modern, fit for purpose kitchen and café to replace current ageing temporary structures that are of a poor standard. Proposed facilities will be akin to those currently available at Maghaberry Prison and Hydebank Wood College and Women’s Prison.
This project aims to support prisoners to gain catering and hospitality skills and qualifications that will support them to gain employment in the hospitality and service industries upon release, ultimately support a reduction in rates of reoffending and make Northern Ireland safer.
Magilligan currently sits at maximum capacity of 500 prisoners due to the overall rise in prison numbers in Northern Ireland. A business case is currently being developed for a new 60 cell accommodation block as part of the long term development strategy for Magilligan Prison.