§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the new prisons at Maghaberry are now nearing completion.
§ Mr. AlisonThe contracts for the new male and female prisons which are being built at Maghaberry, Co. Antrim, are due for completion in October 1981 and February 1982 respectively. It is expected that both establishments will be fitted out and made ready for occupation in the autumn of 1982.
§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the features of the prison regime in Northern Ireland which distinguish it from the prison regime operating in England and Wales.
§ Mr. Humphrey AtkinsThe main differences are, first, that there is no parole scheme comparable to that introduced in England and Wales by the Criminal Justice Act 1967 under which prisoners may be considered for release on parole after serving one third of their sentences or 12 months whichever is the greater. Instead, sentenced prisoners in Northern Ireland are eligible for 50 per cent. remission. But persons released from sentences of more than 12 months are liable, if convicted of a fresh imprisonable offence during the remaining period of the sentence, to be ordered to serve that period in addition to any fresh sentence.
245WSecondly, all male sentenced prisoners who are conforming with prison rules may wear their own clothing, of an approved type, during association periods in the evenings and at weekends, and for visits. As announced recently, all male prisoners will in the near future be issued with civilian-type clothing in place of the existing prison uniform.
Finally, all sentenced prisoners in Northern Ireland who are conforming with prison rules may receive a weekly visit which is overall more generous than the variable position in England and Wales. Home leave arrangements and the arrangements for letters and parcels are also more generous.
§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many members of the security forces are currently employed at the temporary prison at Foyle, County Londonderry.
§ Mr. Humphrey AtkinsIt would not be in the interest of security to disclose how many policemen and soldiers are employed at Her Majesty's prison, Foyle.