Prison chief welcomes progress report on care and supervision units

Prison Service Director General Beverley Wall has welcomed the publication of a follow up report by the Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice on Care and Supervision Units within Northern Ireland prisons.

The Chief Inspector has praised the Prison Service and its partners for the pace shown in addressing recommendations and for the innovation demonstrated in finding solutions to concerns raised in the previous report.

Beverley Wall said, “This is an important report and I welcome the findings by the Chief Inspector that ‘significant progress’ has been made against the strategic and operational recommendations made in the previous report.”

“Care and Supervision Units play an important role in supporting extremely vulnerable prisoners and also those who exhibit behaviours that may cause themselves or others harm.”  

“Following the previous report a plan was developed and implemented to address the issues highlighted by the Inspection team.  I want to thank our staff for the prompt action they took and our partners for assisting us in this work.  I also want to acknowledge the commitment, care and compassion shown by Prison Service staff to people in prison, many of whom have serious mental health and addiction issues.”

“I am not complacent.  We must and will continue to develop services that meet the current and emerging needs of our prisoners.”