Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Justice whether any assessment has been made of the potential impact of prison overcrowding on (i) prison safety; and (ii) rehabilitation outcomes.
Minister of Justice: Evidence demonstrates that a high prison population generally results in an increase in tension. Managing prisoners, in terms of encouraging positive behaviour, becomes more challenging – for example leading to increases in incidents and violence. Every day Prison Service staff work incredibly hard to deliver safe, decent and secure custody for everyone working and living in prison.
The key to the Prison Service’s success in recent years has been a focus on purposeful activity and rehabilitation. Population pressures also place a strain on the personal development of prisoners, the provision of learning and skills, release preparation and sociable, creative and recreational activity. All of this leads to a deterioration in release planning and preparation, which in turn has an impact on reoffending rates, which impacts on wider society.
Despite the challenges, the Prison Service continues to prioritise rehabilitation by supporting and challenging prisoners to change and address their offending behaviour while in custody, as demonstrated by recent independent inspections of Hydebank Wood College and Women’s Prison and Magilligan.
ENDS
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