Republican and loyalist prisoners are to be held under a less restrictive regime at Maghaberry prison, the prisons minister has announced.
Shaun Woodward said prison reforms would include a reduction of "rub-down" searches, additional education facilities and an extension of prisoner visiting rights.
Local councillors from political parties with no representation at Westminster, European Parliament or Assembly member level will also have new visiting privileges.
The move follows an internal review of the current segregated regime, under which paramilitary prisoners are held.
"Ordinary" criminals are held separately in another wing at Maghaberry and under a different regime. The review took into consideration the views of prisoner groups, their political representatives and prisoners themselves.
The segregated regime was introduced in 2004 on the recommendations of the Steele Report, commissioned by the then secretary of state Paul Murphy in response to rooftop protests by Maghaberry inmates demanding the separation of paramilitary prisoners.
Mr Woodward has asked for a response to a proposed two-tier regime that would reward good behaviour, and also on voluntary drug testing.
Compliance with these could reward inmates with an extra £15 per week, and the extension of the exercise yard and recreational shower facilities. Speaking yesterday, the minister stressed that the changes would strike "an important balance" in the prison service by reflecting its desire to move forward, while still holding to the principles underlying the existing agreements.
He stressed it was of paramount importance that prison officers remained in control at Maghaberry at all times.
Controlled movement will be retained at its current ratio of five staff to every three prisoners on each prison landing, he said. However, an exception of four staff to every two prisoners would be allowed when only four officers are available, he said.
It is hoped that this will prevent a return to "Maze-style conditions" where prisoners heavily outnumbered staff.