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| Irish Anger Over Prison Closing |
| By Belfast Telegraph |
| Published: 09/19/2005 |
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Plans to close Magilligan prison in Ireland were blasted as "mad" amid claims they could cause economic devastation to the North West. The revelation that the jail is to be shut down was made last night by the director general of the Prison Service, Robin Masefield, who told councillors in Limavady that Magilligan would be replaced as part of a review of the service. The move comes just two years after a previous review, when prison bosses said the future of Magilligan was safe, and the jail was upgraded. As local representatives today continued to assess the potential impact, DUP councillor Leslie Cubitt claimed over 500 jobs could be lost to the area. The latest proposals were also slammed as "a waste of money" by the General Secretary of the Prison Officers' Association, Finlay Spratt. Confirming that Magilligan's future is shrouded in uncertainty, Mr. Masefield told members of Limavady Borough Council last night that a strategic review was currently under way, saying that it would "confirm the unsuitability of the existing prison, due in part to its design". The head of the Prison Service added that a new jail could be built on the present site or another location and that work to identify other possible sites was underway. There has been speculation the new prison could be built near Ballymena, as well as the Craigavon, Dungannon or Lisburn districts. As the Prison Service requires at least two prisons for adult offenders, Mr Masefield confirmed that the present facility at Maghaberry would continue. He also said a study had been commissioned to assess the "socio-economic impact on Limavady and other potential sites for any replacement". Mr Cubitt has blasted the decision to potentially relocate the prison as "political, not economic". |
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