To ask the Minister of Justice to outline how the Northern Ireland Prison Service is managing the high prison population, including prisoners with complex needs.

ORAL QUESTION No 13 - AQO 1927/22-27

ANSWER

On 1 April 2022, the total prison population in Northern Ireland was 1,552. On 1 April 2025 the population had increased by over 26% to 1,964.

At Maghaberry Prison, as a result of the rise in population, the Prison Service has re-opened two out of three square houses (Foyle and Erne). This is accommodation which closed when Davis House, the most modern accommodation, was opened. The last remaining house at Maghaberry has been prepared for occupation and will be required if the population trend does not change.

The Prison Service is also closely monitoring and managing the balance of the population between Maghaberry and Magilligan Prisons and maximising the safe use of cell sharing where possible. The continued priority is to deliver the best prison regimes and services possible within available resources. From a resource perspective 69 new entrant prison officers commenced training on 31 March and will be deployed on the 19 June if they successfully complete the recruit assessment course.

It is of course the case that many people coming into custody have complex needs. Drug and alcohol addiction, poor levels of education, additional educational needs and poor physical and mental health are just some of the societal issues concentrated in our prisons.

The Prison Service is responding to that challenge working across government and in partnership with private, statutory, voluntary and community sector organisations to provide the support needed to address these complex needs.

It is also the case that much more could be achieved if there was collective focus on prevention in the community, rather than the justice system having to take responsibility when earlier opportunities have been missed, or when provision was not effective or inadequate.

It is simply unsustainable to say that when someone comes into the custody that addressing their needs and risks becomes solely a criminal justice issue. A collective cross-departmental response to these challenges is required.