Which prison will I go to?
If you are remanded in custody or given a custodial sentence you will be held in one of three operational prison sites in Northern Ireland.
Maghaberry Prison is a high security prison which holds male remand, sentenced and separated prisoners. The prison also manages a unit in Belfast for selected prisoners approaching the end of their sentence and a separate facility for immigration detainees. If you are an adult male you will first be held at Maghaberry.
Magilligan Prison is a medium secure prison which accommodates sentenced adult male prisoners. A separate low security unit at Magilligan, called Foyleview Resettlement Unit, accommodates prisoners nearing the end of their sentence.
Prisoners transfer from Maghaberry to Magilligan usually on a weekly basis.
Hydebank Wood Young Offenders’ Centre & Prison is also a medium security establishment holding all male young offenders – both sentenced and remand – as well as all of the female prisoner population in Ash House. Female immigration detainees are also held in Ash.
All young offenders usually aged between 17-21 will be committed to Hydebank Wood. All females regardless of their age will be committed to Ash House.
ABOUT EACH PRISON
Maghaberry
Location: Maghaberry is located approximately 3 miles from the M1 motorway junction at Moira (Junction 9).
Brief description: The prison can hold up to 718 inmates in single cell accomodation, between 6 houses called: Bush, Roe, Lagan, Foyle, Erne and Bann. The prison also has a series of workshops, an education department and library, gymnasium, chapel and healthcare centre on site.
Visits: Family visits run every day with the exception of Mondays. Child Centred Visits and Book and Tape Club are offered to long term sentenced prisoners.
Useful link:
General: http://www.niprisonservice.gov.uk/maghaberry.htm
Visiting Maghaberry: http://www.niprisonservice.gov.uk/book-maghab.htm
Information leaflet for visitors - http://www.niprisonservice.gov.uk/pdfs/leaflet.pdf
Magilligan
Location:Magilligan is situated on the Foyle peninsula in thenorth west of Northern Ireland approximately 16 miles from Coleraine and 26 miles from Londonderry. The main visits area is within a short walk of the main gate of the prison.
Brief description: Prisoners are accommodated in three H-Blocks and there is a low security unit Foyleview Resettlement Unit on another part of the site which can accommodate around 80 prisoners. There is a prisoner Development Unit from where resettlement planning, offending behaviour programmes are co-ordinate and delivered as well as training and employment workshops, gymnasium and healthcare centre.
Visits: Family visits run from Wednesday to Sunday inclusive. Child Centred Visits and a Big Book Share project are offered.
Useful links:
About Magilligan: http://www.niprisonservice.gov.uk/magilligan.htm
Visiting Magilligan: http://www.niprisonservice.gov.uk/book-magil.htm
Informaiton leaflet for visitors: http://www.niprisonservice.gov.uk/book-magil-more.htm
Hydebank Wood Young Offenders’ Centre & Prison is located inSouth Belfast approximately 5 miles from Belfast City Centre and opposite the entrance to Belvoir Park Hospital.
Brief description: There are five residential units – Elm, Willow, Cedar and Beech accommodate male young offenders. All women are held in Ash House which has its own reception facilities and medical treatment room. Other facilities on the site include; an education and learning centre, horticultural unit, gymnasium and healthcare centre.
Visits: Family visits run from Tuesday to Sunday inclusive. Child Centred Visits are offered to all prisoners.
Useful links:
About Hydebank Wood: http://www.niprisonservice.gov.uk/yoc.htm
Visiting Hydebank Wood: http://www.niprisonservice.gov.uk/yoc-booking.htm
Information leaflet for visitors: http://www.niprisonservice.gov.uk/pdfs/PubUploads/NIPS%20Hydebank%20Leaflet.pdf