NORTHERN IRELAND’S prisoner ombudsman Pauline McCabe made clear yesterday that the North’s prison system is “not fit for purpose”.
She made her point on the same day that a 49-year-old Derry remand prisoner was found dead in Maghaberry Prison. Patrick Duffy from Nassau Street in Derry was on remand facing criminal damage and assault charges.
He was found dead in his cell early yesterday morning. There were no signs of suspicious circumstances, according to the North’s Prison Service.
News of the Mr Duffy’s death emerged as Ms McCabe published a report which found one of the most difficult issues for prisoners was the long periods of time some of them were held in their cells. She reported that 328 eligible complaints were received from prisoners in Maghaberry, Magilligan and Hydebank Wood prisons up to April this year – 128 per cent higher than the 144 complaints received the previous year.
“The single biggest issue, and the issue which has caused me most concern, is the significant number of lockdowns and periods of restricted regime that prisoners have experienced,” she said.
A decision needed to be taken on what sort of prison system was required in Northern Ireland, Ms McCabe said.
“The way Northern Ireland’s prisons are run continues to be affected by its historical legacy and decades of conflict. . .
“There are fundamental issues to be faced, addressed and overcome before we have a service which is fit for purpose,” Ms McCabe added.
