All visits to NI prisons suspended - one prisoner tests positive for Covid at Maghaberry

The suspension of in-prison visits is among restrictions to be introduced by the Northern Ireland Prison Service in response to the measures announced by the Executive on Wednesday.

Director General Ronnie Armour said: “Following a discussion with the Justice Minister and in response to the announcement by the Executive, the Northern Ireland Prison Service has re-instated a number of measures to mitigate the risk against Covid-19 in our three prisons.

“From 6pm on Friday 16th October all in-person visits will be temporarily suspended and only essential staff will be permitted access to a prison unless agreed through the local Governor.

“Our focus remains the safety of the people working in our prisons and those in our care. The restrictions are a proportionate response to the increased community transmission and will be reviewed in four weeks in line with the timeline set out by the Executive.

In an unconnected developoment a prisoner at Maghaberry jail has tested positive for Covid-19 and other inmates are being monitored by medical staff.

There are 1,500 prisoners spread across three sites in Northern Ireland.

In a statement, the Prison Service said a Maghaberry prisoner reported a high temperature on Tuesday and was “immediately tested and placed in isolation” pending the result.

It came back positive and track and trace procedures were implemented.

Other prisoners accommodated on the same jail landing are “being supported by staff and monitored by medical staff from the South Eastern Trust”.

The statement added one member of staff had also been advised to self-isolate.