The Five Demands

Ramsey: Ford must give date for end to strip-searching (SDLP)
SDLP Foyle MLA Pat Ramsey has called on Justice Minister David Ford to give a definitive timeframe for an end to strip-searching in prisons.

Mon 26th March

Speaking after calling on the Minister on the floor of the Assembly, Mr Ramsey said: “The on-going dispute over strip searching has cost a colossal amount of public money and has caused a lot of tension both inside and outside Maghaberry prison.
“I have called on the Justice Minister to give a specific timeframe for the introduction of full body scanners to bring an end to strip-searching to enhance security within the prison, allow prisoners to be searched in a dignified way and ultimately save public money in the long-term.
“The prison authorities want this, prisoners need it as they and their families are extremely distressed at the current procedure, and it is central to government’s prison reform agenda having been outlined as a key recommendation in the Owers Report. It is therefore vital that this critical area of change is brought forward with a greater sense of urgency by David Ford.”