Ford sets challenging targets for Prison Service

2.28.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 23rd Jul 2010

Justice Minister David Ford

The Northern Ireland Prison Service today published its Corporate and Business Plan for 2010-2013 and Key Performance Targets for 2010-2011

The Corporate Plan sets out the major work programmes for the next three years, whilst the Business Plan outlines the Ministerial priorities, key performance targets and development objectives for the current financial year.

Also included in the plan is an overview and update on progress so far on the Service's Strategic Development Programme, commonly referred to as Blueprint.

Announcing publication of his first Corporate and Business Plan as Justice Minister, David Ford said: "The Prison Service is a key element in my portfolio of responsibilities and I have set the Service a number of challenging targets as it continues its comprehensive process of change and modernisation.

"The Hillsborough Agreement included a review of the conditions of detention, management and oversight of all prisons and I have established a rolling review to set out the direction of the Service in the new dispensation.

"The Service will also face the fresh challenge of tighter financial constraints which will require greater efficiency and effectiveness. I look forward over the coming months to working closely with the Service and its staff in improving the way it delivers its responsibilities on behalf of all the people of Northern Ireland."

Commenting on the publication Robin Masefield, Director General of the Northern Ireland Prison Service said: "As with all other elements of Government, the Prison Service must continue to become more efficient at a time of tighter financial constraints across the public sector.

"It is against this backdrop that we must strive to deliver, with greater efficiency, a regime which clearly fulfils our vision to be regarded as a model of good practice in dealing with prisoners and to be valued and respected for our service to the community."