Magilligan marks Suicide Prevention Day

Prison officers were joined by volunteers from the Samaritans to remind prisoners of the services and procedures that are in place to assist those experiencing feelings of despair, including those feeling suicidal.

Through the Supporting Prisoner at Risk (SPAR) process, the Prison Service has established procedures in place to manage, monitor and support prisoners considered at risk.

Prison Service Director General Sue McAllister said: “Safer custody is a priority for the Northern Ireland Prison Service and we are very conscious of the high number of vulnerable people that enter into our care, or who can become vulnerable at any time during their period in custody.

“The Prison Service is not complacent in this vital area of work and continues to review our procedures and processes to ensure that as far as possible, we provide the best support for those placed in our care.

“Events like today provide the Prison Service with another opportunity to remind prisoners of the processes and support packages that are in place if they feel vulnerable or experience feelings of despair.”

Over the past decade, the Prison Service has worked closely with the Samaritans to provide support to vulnerable prisoners.

The Listener Scheme – where some prisoners undergo training and are mentored by the Samaritans to provide support to fellow prisoners who are feeling vulnerable – has been operating in both Magilligan and Maghaberry over the past 10 years.

Sue McAllister said: “The Listener Scheme is well established in prisons across the UK and Ireland in providing support to prisoners who feel vulnerable during their period in custody.

“It has operated successfully in our prisons and will continue to be an important element of our Suicide Prevention and Safer Custody Strategy.”