Terms of reference for CJI review of the operation of NI Prison Service Care and Supervision Units

07/01/2021
CJI Chief Inspector Jacqui Durkin has today published the terms of reference for the CJI review of the operation of Care and Supervision Units by the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS). 
 
The review was incorporated within CJI’s scheduled Inspection Programme for 2020-21 following a request in November 2020 from the Minister of Justice, Naomi Long MLA.  CJI will be assisted in undertaking the review by colleagues from the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) and Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) with support from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons in England and Wales. The review will contribute to CJI’s and RQIA’s delivery of their responsibilities as members of the UK National Preventive Mechanism (NPM).  The CSU Review is separate to the ongoing RQIA led Vulnerable Prisoners Care Review, however, any relevant information or evidence gathered in the course of either Review will be mutually shared between RQIA and CJI.

“Preliminarily planning, research and stakeholder engagement to inform the review has been undertaken and on site fieldwork is due to commence this month.  Fieldwork in the four NIPS Care and Supervision Units and on prison sites will be undertaken in line with current Covid-19 public health guidance to manage risks and maintain the health and safety of prisoners, prison staff and members of the Inspection Team,” said Ms Durkin.

When completed the review report will be published by CJI and laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly.

To view a copy of the terms of reference for the CSU review, please click on the link.