Hostage taking in NI prisons

Since his election earlier this year Jim Allister has become something of a bête noire for justice minister David Ford. It was Allister who first exposed the possibility of changing the symbols of the prison service and dropping the term “Her Majesty’s Prison” resulting in Peter Robinson’s slap down for Ford. Allister also highlighted the discovery of a large amount of cash being brought to Maghaberry. His latest questions to Ford have produced the revelation that in the past four months six prisoners have taken fellow inmates hostage in Northern Ireland’s gaols: 5 in Maghaberry and 1 in Magilligan.

Allister has ensured that the truffles of power have been causing Ford even more indigestion of late.

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