Report praises standards in North prisons

The conditions and regimes for prisoners in Northern Ireland compare favourably with any other prison system, according to the 2000/2001 Northern Ireland Prison Service annual report published today.

This was achieved against a backdrop of a 36 per cent reduction in running costs Director General of the Northern Ireland Prison Service, Mr Robin Halward

"There is no overcrowding, prisoners enjoy comprehensive regimes and work and educational opportunities, while prison staff have benefitted from an average of over eight days training and development during the year," the director-general of the service, Mr Robin Halward, said today.

"This was achieved against a backdrop of a 36 per cent reduction in running costs.

"We exceeded the targets for staff training, reduced our sick absences by nearly 30 per cent over a two-year period and extended our video-link system," he said.

Announcing the publication of the report, Minister of State Ms Jane Kennedy MP said: " I congratulate the Northern Ireland Prison Service on meeting all of its nine key targets in 2000/2001."