The permanent separation of loyalist and republican prisoners in Northern Ireland's top security Maghaberry jail is to begin today.
The Prison Service is making a series of accommodation moves by inmates that will result in the separation of designated loyalists and republicans within a fortnight, said a spokesman.
The government has spent around £7 million sterling on security measures and preparing two cell blocks in the Co Antrim prison for the paramilitary prisoners. It will cost an additional £7 million a year to run the new regime, which requires extra prison officers.
The government insists the move is not a return to the segregation days of the old, now closed, Maze Prison where paramilitary groups were in virtual control of their blocks.
Ministers are determined that the prison authorities will remain in total control. Under the new regime prison officers will remain on wings, cells will be locked and there will be regular checks on inmates.
The separation is being introduced in the wake of violent clashes between rival factions, a loyalist riot, hunger strike and regular attacks on the homes of prison officers, coupled with a dissident republican "dirty protest".
It was given the go ahead last autumn following a report by Sir John Steele, a former head of the Northern Ireland Prison Service and former head of security policy for the Northern Ireland Office.
He said it should be implemented on security and safety grounds. His review team spoke to more than 100 prisoners, senior prison management, unions and staff before making the recommendation.