THE Northern Ireland Secretary, Sir Patrick Mayhew, has approved a package of recommendations for improved security at the Maze Prison. The proposals were contained in a report commissioned after the discovery of a tunnel at the prison on March 23rd.
In a statement last night, Sir Patrick said he endorsed proposals for "procedures and systems that are realistic and sustainable" in the unique circumstances of the prison.
"The report emphasises the need for a purposeful staff presence in wings. This would involved twice daily lock ups, with associated head counts and random cell checks in which the fabric of cells would be examined. There would also be a system of full block searches organised on a frequent and unpredictable basis. Movement of prisoners between blocks would be strictly controlled and prisoners undertaking such moves searched."
Sir Patrick said none of the measures, "singly or in combination", would guarantee total security but taken as a balanced package they would make a repeat of the tunnelling exercise extremely difficult.
"I entirely endorse the approach recommended by the inquiry team and have asked the chief executive of the Prison Service to take the recommendations forward as a matter of urgency," the Northern Ireland Secretary said.