To ask the Minister of Justice (i) for her assessment of how drug (a) availability; (b) misuse; and (c) addiction is being tackled in HMP Magilligan; and (ii) to detail what further steps she will take to reduce the number of inmates who are able to (a) maintain; or (b) develop a drug habit while in HMP Magilligan.

Many people coming into prison have existing issues regarding addiction and display drug-seeking behaviours. Magilligan disrupts the availability of illegal drugs into and within the prison using X-Ray body scanners and other search aids to thwart efforts to traffic prohibited items. Healthcare in Prisons teams also work to support those prisoners with drug addictions.

Key to this are partnerships with North West Regional College, South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, AD:EPT (Alcohol and Drugs: Empowering People through Therapy) and other stakeholders. This integrated approach has been designed to boost purposeful activity, maintain family links and empower individuals’ self-esteem to break the cycle of substance misuse. Positive results have already been evidenced from these interventions.

The recent Independent Review of Progress at Magilligan Prison noted that a revised Drug and Alcohol Strategy had been introduced in September 2023. This Strategy is now embedded and a plan is in place to restrict supply, reduce demand and build recovery.

The Northern Ireland Prison Service also continues to work closely with the Police Service of Northern Ireland to tackle the flow of drugs into prisons.