Press Releases
- Statement by the Northern Ireland Prison Service
The Northern Ireland Prison Service has today confirmed the precautionary suspension of the Governor of Hydebank Wood Prison and Young Offenders Centre
Tuesday, 15 May 2012
- Ford launches prisoner repatriation consultation
Justice Minister David Ford has today published for consultation proposals on the repatriation of foreign national prisoners before the end of their sentence.
Thursday, 10 May 2012
- Ford sets out details of prison search pilot
Justice Minister David Ford has revealed the details of two pilot projects on new search technologies within prisons.
Thursday, 3 May 2012
- Estate Strategy offers blueprint for modern and effective secure custody - Ford
Justice Minister David Ford has announced plans to consult on a new blueprint for the future of the prison estate.
Tuesday, 24 April 2012
- Ford welcomes CJINI Report on prisoner releases
Justice Minister David Ford has instructed the Prison Service to fully implement the 10 outstanding recommendations from a report on mistaken prisoner releases within the next six months.
Tuesday, 3 April 2012
- Partnership necessary to address mental health problems - Ford
Justice Minister David Ford has welcomed a report examining the scale of mental health problems in the justice system.
Thursday, 29 March 2012
- Prison reform unstoppable - Ford
The reform of the Northern Ireland Prison Service is unstoppable, Justice Minister David Ford has said.
Monday, 26 March 2012
- Ford welcomes inspection reports on Roe House
A Prison Service action plan responding to recommendations made following an unannounced inspection of conditions for separated prisoners at Roe House has been published.
Thursday, 8 March 2012
- NIPS Director General appointed to top Scottish Prison Service post
The Director General of the Northern Ireland Prison Service, Colin McConnell, is to leave his post.
Tuesday, 6 March 2012
- NIPS confirms McGlinchey transfer
The Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) has confirmed that Marian McGlinchey has today been moved from Maghaberry Prison to Hydebank Wood.
Friday, 17 February 2012
- Prison Services launches recruitment campaign
The Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) has today launched a recruitment campaign for new Custody Officers
Thursday, 16 February 2012
- Ford welcomes CJINI learning and skills report
Justice Minister David Ford has pledged to address how the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) delivers learning and skills within prisons.
Monday, 13 February 2012
- Statement Erroneous Release of a Foreign National Prisoner
Justice Minister David Ford has instructed the Northern Ireland Prison Service to begin an immediate inquiry into the circumstances which led to the erroneous release of a foreign national prisoner.
Monday, 13 February 2012
- Prison Service Welcomes Report on Vulnerable Prisoners
The Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) has welcomed the publication of a report on its treatment of vulnerable prisoners.
Monday, 30 January 2012
- Prisoners granted Christmas home leave
The Prison Service has granted 87 prisoners Christmas Home Leave. Their periods of temporary release have been granted for varying periods from 23 December 2011 until Tuesday 3 January 2012.
Friday, 23 December 2011
- Prison Service opens Woburn House to public
The Northern Ireland Prison Service College in Millisle will be open to the public on September 10th and 11th as part of the European Heritage Open Day weekend.
Tuesday, 6 September 2011
- Death in custody at Maghaberry
Patrick Gerald Duffy (49) was found dead in his Foyle House cell just after midnight. There are no signs of suspicious circumstances.
Thursday, 23 June 2011
- Ombudsman Report highlights scale of challenge for Prison Service
The Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) is committed to establishing appropriate regimes for all offenders in their care, Director General Colin McConnell has said.
Wednesday, 15 June 2011
- Death in custody at Maghaberry
The Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) regrets to announce the death in custody of a remand prisoner at Maghaberry Prison this morning.
Sunday, 22 May 2011
- Deaths in custody at Hydebank Wood Young Offenders Centre and Prison
The Director General of the Northern Ireland Prison Service has expressed his deep sadness following two deaths in custody at Hydebank Wood Young Offenders Centre and Prison yesterday.
Thursday, 5 May 2011
- Prisoner Assessment Unit activities temporarily suspended
The Northern Ireland Prison Service has suspended activity at the Prisoner Assessment Unit.
Friday, 22 April 2011
- Prison Social Clubs To Close
Social clubs at Maghaberry Prison and Magilligan Prison are to close at the end of this month.
Friday, 11 March 2011
- Safer custody conference held by Prison Service
The Northern Ireland Prison Service is hosting a Safer Custody Conference today at the Prison Service College in Millisle.
Thursday, 10 March 2011
- Prison Review Team’s Interim Report calls for a fundamental change programme
The Prison Review Team, chaired by Dame Anne Owers, today issues its interim report. It considers that the Northern Ireland Prison Service is at a critical stage, with long-standing problems of governance, accountability, performance and culture.
Monday, 28 February 2011
- Prison Service appoints Governors for Maghaberry and Magilligan
The new Director General of the Northern Ireland Prison Service, Colin McConnell, has made a number of senior management appointments.
Friday, 21 January 2011
