Paramilitary prisoners to be segregated

A review into prison safety at one of Northern Ireland's most notorious jails has recommended loyalist and republican prisoners should be segregated.

The review, by the former head of the Northern Ireland Prison Service, Sir John Steele, follows recent clashes in the jail between the two factions.

However, Security Minister, Jane Kennedy warned that there would be no return to the conditions that existed at Maze Prison during the most turbulent years of the troubles when paramilitary organisations effectively ran their own wings.

The Minister said: "No-one wants a return to the conditions that existed at Maze where prisoners could intimidate and attack other prisoners and staff.

"Indeed, by far the majority of the most serious incidents that have taken place in our prisons have happened under segregated conditions.

"Prison staff must and will remain in control. The Government, prison management and prison officers remain firmly of the view that integration is the safest regime for prisoners and staff when prisoners conform and co-operate."

DUP Police Board member Ian Paisley jnr described the announcement as a sop to republicans. He said: "No one wants to see a return to the Maze regime where the prisoners ran the prison and made a mockery of punishment. Anything that allows for the Prison Officers to retain control of the prison and at the same time protect prisoners from mixing in a way that is clearly harmful for them and does nothing other than increase potential clashes within the prison.

"However, it is notable that the Government has little concern for the welfare of loyalist prisoners and their political calculation has more to do with saving the PIRA and Sinn Fein from an embarrassing hunger strike that would undermine Sinn Fein/IRA. This is potentially the real agenda of the latest report."

Sinn Féin Prison Spokesperson Cllr Michael Browne welcomed the move but called on the Government to reveal when, and how, the new recommendations would be implemented.

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