To ask the Minister of Justice to detail (i) any assessment she has made of the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences among the prison population; and (ii) whether trauma informed approaches are currently used within rehabilitation and support services in prisons.

(i) It is widely acknowledged that those within the criminal justice system have a higher prevalence of adverse childhood experiences than those in the general population. Following the publication of a report on The Prevalence and Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences in Northern Ireland in 2025, the Northern Ireland Prison Service has recently commissioned a study by Dr Colm Walsh on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) among the prison population. The study will cover all three prison establishments, with findings due to be available in the Autumn.

(ii) Much of the provision offered within the prison service, both by staff and partner organisations, has been developed using trauma informed practice. The Northern Ireland Prison Service has committed to being recognised as a Trauma Informed Organisation by 2030 and are working in partnership with the Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland (SBNI), to deliver this commitment.