Hydebank Wood Secure College and Women’s Prison has become the first unit in Northern Ireland to secure outcomes at the “highest attainable level”, according to two independent reports.

However, the Criminal Justice Inspectorate and HM Inspector of Prisons in England and Wales have raised concerns about some safeguarding issues.

Jacqui Durkin, chief inspector of criminal justice in Northern Ireland, and Charlie Taylor, chief inspector of Her Majesty’s prisons in England and Wales, said: “We have identified evidence that our expectations are being met and 10 notable examples of practice that other prisons can follow to learn from.”

“Investigators found that the strong and effective leadership of the governor and the senior team created pride, energy and commitment at all levels of the administration and many of the staff working there.”

Ms Durkin said quality relationships between inmates and staff in both parts of the facility were central to success.

“We have found that well-trained, competent prison officers know the people in their care very well and form positive partnerships with other key services, including health services and education and training providers from the South East Health and Social Care Trust (SEHSCT) and Belfast Metropolitan College ( “Belfast Met) has ensured that every woman and young man receives support tailored to their individual needs.”

“Standards of behavior were also good, and there were excellent opportunities for young men and women to move into settlements with greater freedom, self-catering facilities and more time out of cells.”

Mr Taylor said: “Whilst it is not possible to directly compare levels of violence at Hydebank Wood with similar prisons in England and Wales due to the different ways of collecting data, it was clearly much safer than its peers.

“Only one serious assault was recorded last year and most incidents of violence were low-level.”

Both inspections raised six key concerns that the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS), SEHSCT and Belfast Met leadership need to address by working together to further improve prisoner and patient outcomes.

“Although there had been improvements in the approach to safeguarding adults, processes and procedures were still not fully effective and the investigation of safety incidents and serious complaints was not sufficiently robust,” Ms Durkin said.

“This has been raised in other prison inspections and NIPS and SEHSCT need to quickly introduce an enforceable adult safeguarding policy that clarifies information sharing arrangements and referral decision-making.”

Both inspection reports found that incidents involving the use of force required greater scrutiny as current arrangements were not robust and failed to reassure prison leaders that force should always be used necessary, proportionate and as a last resort.

Inspectors also recommended that leaders make better use of the data they have to effectively co-ordinate, sequence, prioritize and plan future services, particularly in relation to training, skills and work activities.

Inspectors concluded: “Overall, this was a very positive inspection and it is pleasing to report on a prison that is operating much more successfully than most similar prisons inspected in England and Wales, despite a growing population with some complex needs.”

Stormont Justice Minister Naomi Long said Hydebank Wood was “a model of excellence and good practice that transforms lives”.

“The outcome of today’s reports is the result of many years of hard work by the Prison Service and its partner organisations. Just over 10 years ago inspectors described Hydebank as a failing prison; Today, it is a model of excellence and good practice,” he said.

“Many people who come to prisons come with extremely complex issues, addiction and mental health issues. As a society, we must never underestimate the challenges our prisons face on a daily basis, and we must encourage and challenge these people to change their behaviour.

“Of course, something will be learned with each report and the inspectors have explained where we can improve further.”

Beverley Wall, chief executive of the Northern Ireland Prison Service, said: “Our staff are some of the most dedicated and professional working in the public sector. This is often not noticeable from the outside.

“I am extremely grateful to the inspection teams for recognizing the ‘excellent quality’ of relationships between prisoners and staff in both parts of Hydebank.”