Report criticises prison training

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/8094349.stm

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The Northern Ireland Prison Service must work towards improving staff training and do more to rehabilitate inmates, a report has said.

The study headed by Criminal Justice Inspector Michael Maguire said although training had improved, more needed to be done.

It said much of the training was outdated and put too much emphasis on security and controlling prisoners.

The service has agreed to implement the report's 13 recommendations.

"The inspection found that historically, the bulk of training provided for prison officers within the Northern Ireland Prison Service was security-focused and driven by the need to update basic skills such as control and restraint of prisoners," Mr Maguire said.

"Over recent years the role of the prison officer within a modern prison service has and continues to undergo significant change.

"Staff are being asked to move away from the security-focused role to one where they engage proactively with prisoners to challenge inappropriate behaviour, and assist in their rehabilitation."

He said following the appointment of the current director general Robin Masefield in 2004, and a new head of training and development at the Prison Service college in 2006, training had taken some steps forward.

"However, much remained to be done as security-focused mandatory and refresher training accounted for the majority of training undertaken during 2007-08, rather than developmental staff training designed to equip prison officers with the skills to undertake a more rehabilitative role with prisoners," he added.

Earlier this week prison managers were criticised in an independent report after inmate Colin Bell, 34, hanged himself while on suicide watch at Maghaberry Prison in County Antrim last year.