Freephone for Foreign National Prisoners
Improved Access to Freephone for Foreign National Prisoner
The Prisoner Ombudsman has recently made improvements to the freephone system which will make it easier for foreign national prisoners to speak to us. From 1 June foreign national prisoners can call the usual freephone number and, regardless of their first language, we will be able to have a three way call between the inmate, our complaints officer and an interpreter.
If the inmate has an eligible complaint we will then make arrangements for an investigator to call with them. We will be writing to all foreign national prisoners to advise them of the changes and how they can use the new improved system.
The freephone number for this service and for other calls about complaints remains the same 0800 783 6317
Inside Issues - Summer 2011
I hope you will enjoy reading this new shorter and more "newsy" style edition of Inside Issues
Click here to View the Summer 2011 Inside Issues
Roundtable discussion with members of the clergy
On 14 March the Prisoner Ombudsman held a roundtable discussion with members of the clergy who work in each of the 3 prisons. The meeting was an opportunity for the Prisoner Ombudsman to explain her role and for an open discussion about the challenges faced in Northern Ireland prisons.
Safer Custody Conference
On 10 March 2011 the Prison Service held a Safer Custody Conference in the Prison Service College. The Prisoner Ombudsman spoke at the conference and chaired a discussion group. In her speech the Prisoner Ombudsman drew on her learning from death in custody investigations and highlighted the need for more out of cell time, human contact, and purposeful activity for vulnerable prisoners as well as joined-up care and a care coordinator for each vulnerable prisoner.
Review of the Northern Ireland Prison Service - Interim Report February 2011
On 28 February 2011 the Group established by the Minister to Review Prisons in Northern Ireland, chaired by Dame Anne Owers, produced its interim report. The Report can be accessed via the website of the review team.
http://www.prisonreviewni.gov.uk/index/review-reports.htm
The report by Dame Anne Owers and her Review Team is thought- provoking and outlines in clear, simple and comprehensive terms the fundamental problems which have hampered the delivery of an effective Prison Service for many years.
The Challenge of Change in the Prison Service
On 23 February 2011 the Prisoner Ombudsman spoke on “The Challenge of Change in the Prison Service” at a seminar organised by the Transitional Justice Institute at the University of Ulster. In her speech the Prisoner Ombudsman spoke about the role her office can play in the change programme; drew on her experience of managing change in policing while a member of the Policing Board; and set out what she believed to be the key priorities of an effective prison system in the 21st century.
Help for Foreign National Prisoners
It is obviously important that all prisoners have access to the complaints process and with the number of foreign national prisoners in Northern Ireland rising sharply in recent years the Prisoner Ombudsman decided to produce leaflets in a number of different languages to explain the complaints process. These leaflets have been distributed to all prisons.
Duke of Edinburgh Awards Ceremony
On 24 January 2011 the Prisoner Ombudsman took part in a Duke of Edinburgh Awards Ceremony at Maghaberry Prison. Awards were presented to prisoners and staff who had achieved their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Awards.
Diversiton Calendar
The Prisoner Ombudsman was again happy to join with Diversiton for the 2011 calendar.
Budapest Conference
The Hungarian Helsinki Committee (HHC) invited Pauline McCabe to speak at a two-day workshop in November 2010 to discuss the independence, impartiality and effectiveness of prison complaint mechanisms.
The work shop introduced organisations from across Europe, covering areas of interests from human rights to rehabilitation practices.
The purpose of the workshop was to inform non-governmental representatives on the legal and pragmatic aspects of prison complaints systems, promoting independence and sharing best practices.
All of the Prisoner Ombudsman’s travel and accommodations costs were paid by the Conference Organisers.
Information Sessions for Prisoners
On 25th October 2010 the Prisoner Ombudsman held three information sessions at Hydebank Wood, for females, for males and for juvenile prisoners. On 1st November the Prisoner Ombudsman also met a group of Polish prisoners in Maghaberry Prison and a further information session for Lithuanian prisoners was held on 16th December 2010.
Prisoner Ombudsman… gets the message out
The Prisoner Ombudsman held further meetings during Autumn/Winter 2010 with senior representatives from all political parties to make sure they were fully up to date on all important issues and matters arising from ongoing complaints and investigations and to discuss areas where progress on reform could be made.
The Prisoner Ombudsman also appeared before the Northern Ireland Assembly Justice Committee on 30th September 2010 to present an overview of the work her Office carries out in respect of complaints and Death in Custody Investigations.
"I want to make sure that all of our elected representatives are properly aware of the issues that come to light through the complaints process in prisons or through my investigations into death in custody, "said Pauline McCabe.
"By meeting politicians regularly, I hope that I can helpfully inform the debate about criminal justice so that when key decisions that relate to the Prison Service are made, they will be based on the best information available."
Probation complaints pilot extended by 12 months
Staff are reviewing the pilot project designed to enable prisoners to bring complaints about probation services to the Prisoner Ombudsman’s Office.
"Many complaints are resolved very effectively by the Probation Service’s internal complaints process." Pauline McCabe said.
"We are also working with Probation staff to look at how familiar prisoners are with the internal complaints process and whether improvements are needed."
The extended pilot is due to conclude in June 2011, at which time decisions will be made about future roll-out.
