All prison visits in Northern Ireland are suspended until further notice

NI Prison Service director general Ronnie Armour said the “safety of everyone in our prisons is paramount.”

He said: “As decisions have been made to restrict contact in wider society with the closure of schools, leisure facilities and other public buildings, I have reluctantly taken the decision to suspend all visits to our prisons.

“Under normal circumstances visits would be one of the last areas to be suspended as family contact is at the centre of prison life.

“However we are living in extraordinary times and what at one time would have been unthinkable, is this week’s reality.”

Mr Armour went on to say: “I am very conscious that while face-to-face visits have been suspended, contact between families and their loved ones in prison must continue.

“We will immediately, and on an ongoing basis, look for every opportunity to ensure that families can stay in contact.”

Responding to news of the suspension, Green Party NI MLA Rachel Woods said: “I understand why this measure is being adopted and I accept that the Prison Service is acting in the best interests of everyone during this time of crisis.

“I would encourage the Prison Service to make a serious effort to maintain family contact via telephone or other technology. This will help prisoners, their families and prison staff”.

Ms Woods, who sits on the justice committee, added: “We must protect the physical and mental health of our prisoners and their families. There is also a huge responsibility to look after our prison officers in the challenging times ahead.”