Written question asked by Iris Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party) on Thursday, 15 October 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 19 October 2009. It was answered by Paul Goggins (Labour) on Monday, 26 October 2009 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Prison Accommodation

Question: (3) what categories of prisoner are housed in dormitory accommodation in prisons in Northern Ireland;

Answer: There is a 64-bed dormitory accommodation unit (Sperrin) at Magilligan Prison and an eight-bed dormitory accommodation unit at Hydebank Wood. Both have been used between 1 September 2006 and 1 September 2009.Sex offenders may occupy cellular accommodation, single rooms or dormitories.At 19 October the Sperrin unit held 37 Category B/C prisoners in custody for sexual offences and one other Category B prisoner, all of whom were sentenced. At Hydebank Wood there were three inmates housed in dormitory accommodation with non-sexual offences—two of these were sentenced and one was on remand.Since 24 September a total of five sex offenders, who have met the strict criteria necessary for their placement, have been housed in Foyleview Resettlement Unit at Magilligan.

Secondary information