Magilligan Prison
Justice
2:45 pm
David Ford (Alliance)
There are no plans to rebuild Magilligan prison. An outline estate strategy sets out proposals for the development of the prison estate over the next ten years. These include proposals for the creation of a new medium-security male prison to be located centrally, which would enable the eventual decommissioning of Magilligan prison on a phased basis. I hope to launch a public consultation on the outline estate strategy soon. Any proposals will, of course, be tested through the usual business case and consultation processes.
I thank the Minister for his reply. Does he agree that there are many good reasons why Magilligan prison should stay in the north-west? Not least of those is the area’s high unemployment, but the prison also delivers excellent rehabilitation programmes.
David Ford (Alliance)
I appreciate that Mr Dallat has a constituency interest in the issue. Of course, I expect Members to make such points on the basis of constituency interests or the interests of groups whom they seek to represent. My view is that I must ensure that the estate strategy that we develop meets the needs of the whole of Northern Ireland in a way that helps to promote and maximise our aim of reducing reoffending and provides appropriate, affordable services. On that basis, I acknowledge Mr Dallat’s point about the good work being done in Magilligan. However, the prison does that good work in facilities that are not fit for purpose: temporary buildings, Nissen huts, and, in the case of some workshops, rehabilitated farm buildings. Those are not circumstances in which we should provide modern services to rehabilitate offenders, so we must seek to ensure that we have proper facilities elsewhere. However, as the proposals will be out for consultation, it will be up to individuals to make whatever case they wish for how the prison estate should be developed. The issue is how we develop the prison estate; it is not a Magilligan issue. We need to ensure that we move forward in a way that best meets our outlined aim of reducing reoffending.
Raymond McCartney (Sinn Féin)
Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. The Minister will be aware that his officials were before the Committee last week. Again, I make the point that all of the review of the prison estate must be in the context of wider prison reform. The debate should not be reduced to Magilligan, or not Magilligan. In much the same way, if there is a need for a centrally located prison, the Department should not be pointing to Maghaberry as its site.
David Ford (Alliance)
I thank Mr McCartney for that point, and it is a pleasure when the Deputy Chairperson of the Committee speaks as such and not as an MLA for Foyle. As we set in train the changes needed to provide a suitable prison estate for the future, we need to look at difficult issues and take account of the full range of issues that Mr McCartney highlighted.
George Robinson (DUP)
Does the Minister agree that a failure to rebuild Magilligan prison will mean that his legacy as Justice Minister will be the wiping out of approximately 400 jobs and the decimation of the economy of Limavady and the surrounding area?
David Ford (Alliance)
Again, I expect Mr Robinson to speak as an MLA for East Londonderry, but that is not the line that I have to take. I do not see how moving a facility from A to B is wiping out jobs or decimating the economy when the great majority of those employed at Magilligan do not live in Limavady, as he seems to suggest.
The key issue is what the needs of Northern Ireland are and how we best meet those needs for everyone in Northern Ireland, not the narrow local interests of one particular area. Individuals clearly wish to represent their constituency. I have to take a view as to what is best for the justice system for the years ahead.
David McClarty (Independent)
Can the Minister give me an estimate of the cost of rebuilding Magilligan prison on its present site compared to that of a newbuild on a different site and the relocation of prisoners and officers?
David Ford (Alliance)
The answer to that reasonable question on the finances is that I cannot give Mr McClarty the detailed costing at this stage, because, for example, we do not know the detailed costing of building a new prison. However, I do know that the amount of building that is required means that it would not be simple to do it on the Magilligan prison site, even if it was the best location.
We are talking about a current prison that has substandard accommodation. It is full of residential blocks that have extremely substandard accommodation for workshops and offices. For example, in the Foyleview unit, which houses prisoners who are out working in the community towards the end of their sentences in semi-open conditions, the occupants are living in temporary buildings. None of that is suitable for a modern prison estate, which is why there has to be substantial rebuilding wherever the location might be.
As I said earlier, the opportunity is there for Members to make their comments as the consultation is carried through. The Prison Service and I will have to judge the overall best balance for Northern Ireland.