Long welcomes next phase of prisons’ Covid recovery plan

Justice Minister Naomi Long has welcomed a further easing of prison restrictions introduced during the Covid pandemic, with the phased resumption of offender management programmes. Prisons will also work with their education partners to resume some class based learning.

The announcement follows the reintroduction of in-person prison visits and the phased return of pre-release testing. 

Naomi Long said: “The decision to reintroduce offender management and to plan for the return of face to face learning is welcome but also vital as we move towards recovery during this pandemic. It demonstrates a measured proactive approach by Prison Service and its partners in education.”

Director General Ronnie Armour said: “Our primary focus remains the safety of our staff and the people in our care. While we will continue to be vigilant against the spread of the virus and may have to alter plans if the risks posed change, it is right that we should begin work to reintroduce a phased return of programmes that are central to rehabilitation and the resettlement of offenders back into the community.

“We will also be working closely with our education providers to ensure some classroom based learning can return in September. Learning and skills is a huge part of our work as it provides people in our care with skills and qualifications to gain employment when they return to the community.

Ronnie Armour added: “At the end of last month we announced that plans and preparations for pre-release testing would begin on a phased approach. That will now go ahead with the phased re-opening of our working out units at Hydebank and Burren House. It is important that our prisons continue to progress through the pandemic and we will further ease restrictions where possible.”

Notes to editors: 

1. Media enquiries should be directed to the Department of Justice Press Office via email at press.office@justice-ni.x.gsi.gov.uk

2. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours’ service for media enquiries between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted out of hours on 028 9037 8110.

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