Debate contribution: Custodial Facilities: Protection of Rights and Safety

Debate contribution by Ms Paula Bradshaw on 20 January 2025.

MLA

Ms Paula Bradshaw

Party at the time

Alliance Party

Date

20 January 2025

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Private Members' Business

Heading

Custodial Facilities: Protection of Rights and Safety

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 4744359

Read the official Assembly record

Text

I oppose the motion. I am, sadly, as disappointed as I am outraged by the gross insensitivity and playing to the audience by the proposers of the motion who, as individuals and as a party, are playing a very dangerous game with some of the most vulnerable people to have been committed to the care of our Prison Service. Given the size and nature of the prison population in Northern Ireland, the motion and the solutions that it proposes are not only overly simplistic but could create severe risk and cause greater harm. The Assembly has a duty to ensure the safety and dignity of everyone in Northern Ireland, whether they are in wider society or in our prison system. Sadly, and to the disgrace of those who advocate it, the motion seeks to undermine that duty by supporting an approach that fails to address the complexities and sensitivities of the issue and, indeed, jeopardises the very safety that it seeks to protect. Let me be clear: my party has always proudly championed the rights of and protections for LGBTQ individuals, women and other minority groups in Northern Ireland. That commitment is reflected in the policies that we, as a political party, develop and the work that we do every day. The motion takes us not only in the wrong direction but in a very dangerous one. A rigid ideological policy that segregates prisoners solely based on biological sex does not account for the nuances or the realities of often challenging custodial environments. Instead, it risks creating greater vulnerabilities and undermining safety for all. The Northern Ireland Prison Service already employs a case-by-case approach to determining where and, indeed, how prisoners are housed. That system relies on thorough and well-tested risk assessments and professional advice, including input from South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust staff, in order to make decisions with safety as the top priority. Such a people-centred and evidence-based approach is essential in managing the complex risks that are in custodial settings. By contrast, imposing a blanket rule would strip professionals, who are, in my opinion, the people best placed to deliver them, of the flexibilities that they need to address those challenges effectively and responsibly and to care for some of the most vulnerable people in our prison system. Prisons are inherently difficult and, at times, dangerous environments, and managing risks in such settings requires expertise and informed judgement. Professional assessments ensure that decisions are tailored to individual circumstances, recognising that no two cases are identical. A one-size-fits-all policy, as proposed in the motion, would tie the hands of those who are best placed to safeguard prisoners and staff. It is not only impractical but counterproductive and, frankly, cruel. It is important to emphasise that opposing the motion does not mean dismissing concerns about safety in prisons. On the contrary; I wish to demonstrate my party's commitment to addressing those real concerns in a way that prioritises fairness, respect and the protection of everyone who is involved. The current case-by-case risk assessment approach offers the best framework for balancing safety and dignity. It allows professionals to weigh individual risks and to make decisions that are based on evidence and not arbitrary rules. We should be proud that our Prison Service meets best international standards in that risk assessment model. In closing, I implore the Assembly not to be drawn into divisive rhetoric or simplistic solutions that fail to address the underlying complexities of our justice and prison systems. We must focus on fostering a compassionate, practical and fair approach that supports the rights and safety of all individuals. By rejecting the motion, we reaffirm our commitment to a justice system and a Prison Service that protect the vulnerable, empower professionals and ensure equitable treatment for everyone who is in custody. For those reasons, I urge Members to oppose the motion and the amendment.

647 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Not flagged

Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 11:47 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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