Prisons must be places of hope, rehabilitation and support - Long
Date published:
Supporting prison staff and those in custody has never been more important than it is today, Justice Minister Naomi Long has said.
Marking the start of Prisons Week (12-18 October), the Minister said the spiritual, emotional, social and practical needs of prison staff and prisoners must be foremost in our minds if we are to enable a real transformation of offenders and help to reduce re-offending in a meaningful and sustainable way.
Minister Long said:
“The delivery of rehabilitation has become increasingly challenging due to the rising prison population and the resultant pressure on both staff resources and the capacity of our support services.
“Despite the many challenges in our prisons however, our staff continue to support and encourage prisoners through our rehabilitative programmes. The fact that prisons have remained stable is testament to the dedication and professionalism of everyone, including partner agencies, who are working to keep people safe and to support them to change.”
Reflecting on Prisons Week, Minister Long added:
“Prisons Week is an opportunity to consider the needs of all those affected by prisons: prisoners and their families, victims of crime and their communities, those working in the criminal justice system and the many people who are involved in caring for those affected by crime on the inside and outside of our prisons. It is important we take time to reflect and look at how we can all work together to make a difference for people who are out of sight and often out of mind.
“Prisons must be places of hope, rehabilitation and support. That is how we serve everyone in Northern Ireland.”
Notes to editors:
- PHOTO CAPTION: Marking Prisons Week (13-18 October), Beverley Wall, Director General of the Northern Ireland Prison Service, visited Maghaberry Prison where a play and storytelling event about the history of Maghaberry - originally a bustling airfield and home to RAF Maghaberry - and its role in World War II was staged for prisoners. The special event was hosted by Off the Cuff Drama Society, Southern Eastern Health and Care Trust and Spanner in the Works Theatre Company. Included in the picture is Patricia Downey, from the Spanner in the Works Theatre Company.
- Prisons Week 2023 runs from 12-18 October. The theme for Prisons Week 2025 is ‘God’s word is not chained’.
- Media enquiries to the Department of Justice Press Office via press.office@justice-ni.gov.uk or phone: 028 9052 6444