Chief Inspector welcomes improvements in prisoner escort and court custody arrangements
10/04/2014
CJI Chief Inspector Brendan McGuigan has commended the Prison Service's Prisoner Escort and Court Custody Service for implementing over 75% of inspection recommendations and the work it has undertaken to transform the experience of prisoners being escorted and held in court custody. View Report Page.
"I applaud the work undertaken to date by the Prisoner Escort and Court Custody Service to fully implement 13 of 17 inspection recommendations with work underway in relation to the remaining four recommendations," said Mr McGuigan.
Inspectors welcomed the use of dynamic risk assessment and the practice of no longer routinely handcuffing prisoners in secure cellular vehicles. Sickness absence has also been significantly reduced which in turn has created as £200,000 saving and cut the risk of cost savings being eliminated.
"This change in custom and practice and the progress made against the original inspection recommendations made in 2010 have been made possible by the introduction of clearly defined objectives, determined leadership and enthusiastic teamwork.
"Inspectors acknowledge the role played by the Prison Service Prisoner Escort and Court Custody Service management and the trade unions and suggest that these achievements are a beacon for others to follow in transforming service delivery within the Northern Ireland Prison Service," concluded Mr McGuigan.