Prison officer welfare assurance

Assurances from the Justice Minister Claire Sugden that she will work to improve the welfare of Prison Officers have been welcomed by local MLA Jo-Anne Dobson.

The Ulster Unionist MLA raised the issue with the Justice Minister during Questiontime at the Assembly calling for measures to deal with welfare issues, including the serious increase in mental health issues amongst officers, to be brought urgently.

Mrs Dobson said: “Often the focus can be on the welfare of prisoners and not on the safety and health of Prison Officers. Consideration must be given to the challenging and isolated environment in which Prison Officers operate and I also urged the Justice Minister to consider how this affects them and their families.

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