The British government is to "separate" republican and loyalist prisoners at Maghaberry jail in Co Antrim in response to a worsening climate among paramilitaries held there.
It was stressed there was to be no return to the "segregation" system that pertained in the Maze prison before its prisoners were released and the jail finally closed in September 2000.
Republican prison campaigners welcomed the move and said it mattered little what term was used as long as paramilitaries who were deadly enemies on the outside were not forced to integrate on the inside.
The prisons minister, Ms Jane Kennedy, confirmed the move to a multi-regime policy at Maghaberry following a safety review at the prison. This was initiated by Northern Secretary Mr Paul Murphy last month following a series of protests at the jail.
The Steele Review was headed by Mr John Steele, former head of the Northern Ireland Prison Service. He was assisted by two former chaplains, Father Kevin Donaghy and Canon Barry Dodds. Their proposals on a safer regime for prisoners and staff were handed to the British government at the end of August and formally released yesterday.
It recommends that republicans and loyalists be housed separately - a significant departure from the integrated model the government has been keen to maintain since Maghaberry was opened nearly 20 years ago.
Well-placed sources at Stormont claim the integrated model works well for the vast majority of prisoners but is ultimately dependent on the goodwill of inmates. They claim that such consent is not forthcoming from a minority of prisoners and this could amount to 25 per cent of the 630 prisoners held.
The Northern Ireland Office insists prison staff is to remain in control and will not cede control of wings to paramilitaries.
Implementation will begin following more discussion with prison representatives and unions and after new "physical structures" are put in place.
The Steele recommendations also call for the appointment of a prisons ombudsman.