The Northern Ireland Prison Service is to start tests on the use of a powerful synthetic pepper spray to overcome troublesome inmates, it was revealed today.
Trials on the use of hand-held PAVA Incapacity Spray are to be carried out over the next 12 months - or until it has been used operationally 10 times.
It is already in use in the prisons in Britain and by a number of police forces. The Association of Chief Police Officers describe the spray as "significantly more potent than CS Spray".
The Prison Service insisted trials would be in strictly controlled circumstances.
Guidelines for its use have been put out for 12 weeks consultation, during which time the service pledge it will not be used.
Prisons Minister Paul Goggins said the availability of the spray would be "a valuable tool in the management of dangerous situations."
He insisted its use would be subject to stringent conditions and it would be only deployed when deemed absolutely necessary.
The minister said: "Experience from elsewhere would indicate that it will be used only on rare occasions, as the drawing of the spray is usually sufficient to defuse volatile circumstances."
The Prison Service said the purpose of the trial was to assess the operational effectiveness of the spray as a tactical aid in safely resolving violent or potentially life threatening situations.
It added: "In line with human rights principles PAVA will only be deployed in 'serious incidents' where there is a real threat to the health and safety of staff, prisoners and others."
It would also be used "where an individual refuses to leave his cell in a 'planned cell removal' and there was a high risk of violence and where other methods of resolution have been unsuccessful."
The spray will not be used on women or juveniles or where there is a risk of endangering the safety of anyone by its use.
It may only be used after a warning has been issued and each and every use will be investigated by the Prisoner Ombudsman.
Mr Goggins said during the trial period the spray would only be used by certified Control and Restraint Instructors who had been fully trained in its use.
Permission would have to be obtained from the very top - from the Director of the Prison Service or the Deputy Director of Operations.
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission said it would closely monitor the trails and respond after reviewing evidence on safety and training.
NI prison service to test pepper spray
The Northern Ireland Prison Service is to start tests on the use of a powerful synthetic pepper spray to overcome troublesome inmates, it was revealed today.
Trials on the use of hand-held PAVA Incapacity Spray are to be carried out over the next 12 months - or until it has been used operationally 10 times.
It is already in use in the prisons in Britain and by a number of police forces. The Association of Chief Police Officers describe the spray as "significantly more potent than CS Spray".
The Prison Service insisted trials would be in strictly controlled circumstances.
Guidelines for its use have been put out for 12 weeks consultation, during which time the service pledge it will not be used.
Prisons Minister Paul Goggins said the availability of the spray would be "a valuable tool in the management of dangerous situations."
He insisted its use would be subject to stringent conditions and it would be only deployed when deemed absolutely necessary.
The minister said: "Experience from elsewhere would indicate that it will be used only on rare occasions, as the drawing of the spray is usually sufficient to defuse volatile circumstances."
The Prison Service said the purpose of the trial was to assess the operational effectiveness of the spray as a tactical aid in safely resolving violent or potentially life threatening situations.
It added: "In line with human rights principles PAVA will only be deployed in 'serious incidents' where there is a real threat to the health and safety of staff, prisoners and others."
It would also be used "where an individual refuses to leave his cell in a 'planned cell removal' and there was a high risk of violence and where other methods of resolution have been unsuccessful."
The spray will not be used on women or juveniles or where there is a risk of endangering the safety of anyone by its use.
It may only be used after a warning has been issued and each and every use will be investigated by the Prisoner Ombudsman.
Mr Goggins said during the trial period the spray would only be used by certified Control and Restraint Instructors who had been fully trained in its use.
Permission would have to be obtained from the very top - from the Director of the Prison Service or the Deputy Director of Operations.
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission said it would closely monitor the trails and respond after reviewing evidence on safety and training.