NIPS Annual Report and Accounts 2012-13 - Department of Justice

2012-2013
Koestler Awards
The Koestler Trust is an arts based awards
programme that aims to help offenders acquire
and practice new skills. In 2012-13 prisoners across
the establishments achieved a total of eight bronze
awards, one silver award and three gold awards.
CORPORATE AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILTY
Charitable Work
HEALTH AND WELL BEING
Working Group on Managing Stress (WGoMS)
The work of the NIPS WGoMS continued
throughout the year focussing on the development
of a stress awareness package, for inclusion in the
training for the new custody officer recruits joining
the Service. NIPS has worked closely with the Health
and Safety Executive in the development of this
training package in order to ensure that it fulfils
our mandatory legislative requirements and it is
intended that this will be rolled out to all existing
officers during the up-skilling process which will take
place.
PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN NIPS
Roe House Protest
NIPS were pleased that all prisoners in Roe House
ceased their protest action with effect from 29
November 2012. Protest action, which included
a dirty protest, began in May 2011. The ending
of the protest by separated republican prisoners
removed a barrier allowing for the creation of a
better environment which will be of benefit to both
prisoners and staff alike. The Agreement of August
2010 has been and continues to be honoured by the
Prison Service.
Erroneous Releases
One erroneous release occurred in June 2012
which was a result of incorrect information being
provided to NIPS by another agency. NIPS take
its responsibilities in respect of public safety
very seriously and continues to work with other
relevant agencies to mitigate against such incidents
occurring.
Prisoners at Magilligan Prison involved in the Duke
of Edinburgh Award Scheme joined others in the
joinery workshops to produce 350 nesting boxes
of varying designs for the Royal Society for the
Protection of Birds.
Foyleview Unit continues to carry out work for
many charitable, voluntary and community based
organisations. This year their work included painting
buildings for local play groups, primary schools and
sporting organisations, such as, football and GAA
clubs.
This year prisoners from Foyleview were also
involved in preparation of the circuit for the North
West 200 motorcycle races and the locations for
the Milk Cup Youth Football Tournament.
In total, prisoners in Foyleview carried out work
for the benefit of 40 voluntary or charitable
organisations in the North West of the province.
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