§ Ms MowlamTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many prison officers are currently employed in(a) HMP Maze, (b) HMP Maghaberry and (c) HMP Belfast; [10341]
(2) how many prisoners are currently in (a) HMP Maze, (b) HMP Maghaberry and (c) HMP Belfast; [10342]
(3) how many prison officers and staff will be made redundant in the proposed round of staff reductions in the Prison Service in Northern Ireland; [10343]
(4) what percentage of the proposed reductions in staffing in the Prison Service will occur in Northern Ireland; [10344]
(5) how many prison staff in Northern Ireland will be eligible for redundancy packages accompanying staffing reductions in the Prison Service; [10345]
(6) when HMP Belfast will close; how many of its prisoners will go to other prisons in Northern Ireland; and if he will list the prisons concerned. [10346]
§ Sir John WheelerResponsibility for the subjects in question have been delegated to the Prison Service under its chief executive, Mr. Alan Shannon. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from A. D. Shannon to Ms Marjorie Mowlan, dated 22 January 1996:
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me to reply to the Parliamentary Questions in which you asked:
- (i) the number of prison officers who are currently employed in certain Northern Ireland prisons;
- (ii) the number of prisoners in certain Northern Ireland prisons;
51 - (iii) the number of prison officers and staff who will lose their jobs in the proposed round of staff reductions in the Prison Service in Northern Ireland;
- (iv) the percentage of the proposed reductions in staffing in the Prison Service which will occur in Northern Ireland;
- (v) the number of prison staff in Northern Ireland who will be eligible for redundancy packages accompanying staffing reductions; and
- (vi) when HMP Belfast closes, how many of its prisoners will go to other prisons in Northern Ireland; and to list the prisons concerned.
Sir John Wheeler recently announced the closure of HMP Belfast and the construction of new prisoner accommodation at HMP Maghaberry. The inmate population of HMP Belfast will be reallocated to other accommodation some of which is currently vacant and un-staffed. The staffing implications of this decision are currently being assessed, but preliminary studies suggest that around 15 Governor posts, 200 officer posts and 25 civilian posts will no longer be required. It is hoped that the reductions can be achieved through natural wastage and voluntary redundancies.The recent announcement of staffing reductions in HM Prison Service does not have any impact on the staffing levels of the Northern Ireland Prison Service, which is a separate organisation.The management of the NIPS is currently consulting with the relevant Staff Associations about the precise terms of any redundancy package which may be offered. The extent of the application of any package forms part of this consultation and has yet to be agreed.On 18 January 1996 the staffing and inmate figures for each of the prisons was:
Staffing Inmates Prison Officers Others HMP Maze 588 1,241 86 HMP Maghaberry 1293 618 65 HMP Belfast 254 400 46 HMP Magilligan 258 448 45 1 Includes 27 female prisoners.