Debate contribution: Prisons: Emotional Support Animals

Debate contribution by Ms Claire Sugden on 13 October 2025.

MLA: Ms Claire Sugden
Party at the time: Independent
Date: 13 October 2025
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Oral Answers to Questions
Heading: Prisons: Emotional Support Animals
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5175510

Text

I thank the Minister. We made a mistake in respect of the dog that has been in the news recently: that dog should not have been in the prison. Its placement did not fall within the policy and legislation, which, I believe, needs to be reviewed and updated. The Minister received correspondence, as recently as this morning, in which concerns relating to how we dealt with that particular animal continue to be raised. Will the Minister give a commitment that that will not happen again and that she will review what is happening operationally within the Northern Ireland Prison Service? I appreciate that it is not directly her responsibility, but it falls within her remit.

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

Part of an exchange

This follow-up belongs to: Oral question AQO 2506/22-27.

Assessment

Not analysed

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