§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many prison officers in Northern Ireland were approached by the Police Service of Northern Ireland about their security as the result of the raid on Sinn Fein offices in Stormont during 2002, and whether all security arranged as a result has been put in place. [HL5474]
§ Baroness AmosThe Northern Ireland Prison Service has no knowledge of any prison officer having been contacted by the Police Service of Northern Ireland about their security following; the raid on the Sinn Fein offices in Stormont in 2002.
Following a security breach last autumn, unconnected with the raid on Sinn Fein offices, special arrangements were put in place by the Prison Service to deal with staff whose personal details had been compromised. In all staff were interviewed individually by the police and advised regarding their personal safety.
All compromised officers were given the option to apply for enhanced security measures to be installed at their home under the key persons protection scheme (KPPS) or prison service protection scheme (PSPS).
Alternatively, officers could apply for financial assistance to move home under the Prison Service Assisted Home Removal (AHR) Scheme. Arrangements were also put in place with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive to facilitate the purchase of an officer's house under the Scheme for the Purchase of Evacuated Dwellings (SPED).
Special arrangements were put in place to accelerate applications and a special unit was set up within the Prison Service to process applications and provide advice and assistance to concerned staff.