Ford highlights positive role of prison

Justice Minister David Ford has said that society must be able to see how prison can have a positive influence on prisoners.

The Minister was speaking at the start of Prisons Week.

David Ford said: “It is important to remember that people are not sent to prison to just serve their time and then be released back into the community. In order to build a safer society we need to help prisoners address their offending behaviour so they can rebuild their lives and play a positive role when they return to their families and wider community.

“Prisons Week provides the opportunity to focus attention not only on the needs of prisoners, but on all those involved and affected by prison, prisoners families, victims of crime, prison staff, and those working and volunteering in other parts of the criminal justice system.

“Across the three prisons in Northern Ireland we have many positive examples of work being undertaken to help prisoners prepare for life outside prison.

“These include the excellent work of the Braille Unit at Maghaberry, who have recently produced hymnals for a local church.  As well as that the Prison made contact with a special needs school in Lisburn which led to the construction of desks and easels for the children. 

“At Hydebank Wood, the work with the Belfast Metropolitan College provides prisoners with fresh opportunities and qualifications through the provision of academic classes and vocational training classes. This innovation is helping to address the low levels of educational attainment of many of the young people. Among the initiatives taking place at Magilligan is the work to refurbish abandoned bicycles, which are then donated to the Bikes4Africa charity.

“These are just a few examples of the innovative work taking place across our three prisons.  This is helping prisoners to build skills but importantly it is also giving them the opportunity to make a positive contribution to the wider community.” 

Prison Service Director General Sue McAllister said, “This week offers an opportunity to focus on the excellent work being carried out in our three prisons and I would like to thank everyone in the Prison Service for the dedication and professionalism they have shown.

“It is also a time to highlight how prisoners and their families are affected when a parent or loved one is sent to prison.  Removing a person’s liberty is the punishment and our prisons are here to play a constructive role in supporting people from custody and back into their community.  That is not always easy and prisons are challenging.  However the Prison Service, along with the many organisations and individuals who help us, are committed to playing our part in building a safer community in Northern Ireland.”

Notes to editors: 

1. Prisons week began in 1975 in England and Wales as Prisoner’s Week.
2. All media enquiries should be directed to the Department of Justice Press Office on 028 9052 6444. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715440 and your call will be returned.

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