The number of people locked up in Northern Ireland has jumped by 50% since 2021
Magilligan prison in Co Derry is “running at capacity” with nearly 100 prisoners now sharing cells and authorities considering “shorter term accommodation options” to ease pressure, it has emerged.
This comes after concern was raised that another prison, Maghaberry, is “running hot and close to maximum capacity” over summer months.
The Northern Ireland Prison Service has now confirmed Magilligan is already at full capacity following a 50% increase in the overall prison population since 2021.
Read more: Tensions rising in prison amid concern Maghaberry “running hot and close to capacity”, says MLA
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Former UUP leader Doug Beattie said prison service staff had raised concerns with him in July over the number of prisoners compared to staff at Maghaberry.
And it also comes just months after Justice Minister Naomi Long attributed a sharp rise in the number of attacks on prison officers to “crowding” in jails leading to “instability, incidents and violence”.
In the most recent set of accounts published by the Northern Ireland Prison Service, it was revealed that two more facilities known as “square houses” have been opened at Maghaberry amid the rise in the prison population.
The report, published in July on the Department of Justice website, states that a “third and final” square house may need to be opened next year.
Regarding Magilligan, a spokesperson for the NI Prison Service said, “The prison population in Northern Ireland is now at its highest level since 1980 and all parts of the prison estate are under considerable pressure. Magilligan is running at capacity with 500 prisoners, almost 100 of whom are sharing cells. High numbers of cell sharing have not been a feature of Magilligan Prison in the recent past. Every day prison staff meet these challenges with dedication and professionalism.”
“A modern, fit for purpose Prison estate is crucial to ensuring the Prison Service can remain focused on rehabilitating people in its custody.
“The Prison Service has developed a masterplan for Magilligan and is actively progressing work to develop a new kitchen and catering facility plus additional cellular accommodation at the site. This is subject to business approval and funding availability.”
The spokesperson added: “The Prison Service is also looking at shorter term accommodation options to alleviate the pressures caused by a 50% rise in the prison population in Northern Ireland since 2021. Again these will be subject to the planning process and necessary funding being available.”
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