Work on a new 800-place prison at Magilligan in Co Derry, expected to cost more than £200 million sterling, is set to begin within five years, the Government confirmed today.
Northern Ireland's Prisons Minister Paul Goggins also outlined a £70 million short-term initiative to provide 400 additional cells at the existing Magilligan site and at Maghaberry in Co Antrim while the new facility for male inmates is being developed.
As well as rebuilding the Magilligan complex, the minister said it may be necessary to plan for a third major prison in Northern Ireland in the long term.
He said a major announcement with regard to increasing provision for female prisoners would be made early in the new year. Construction work at Magilligan is expected to start in 2011/12. It will be built on a phased basis and could be completed by 2015.
Mr Goggins, who was at Magilligan to unveil the plan, said the investment was necessary in light of an increasing prison population and ageing facilities.
There are currently 1,435 prisoners in Northern Ireland. This number is expected to almost double in the next 15 years.
At the present Magilligan facility, which was built in 1972, more than 300 cells do not have toilet facilities, while in Maghaberry cell-sharing is commonplace.
"The plans I have announced today will meet the immediate need for extra prison places and will see a brand new prison built on the site of the existing Magilligan Prison," said Mr Goggins.