Question Time: Justice 17 February 2015
Justice
Minister, David Ford, was asked to explain the rationale of plans
to close eight of Northern Ireland’s twenty court houses in the latest
proposals to cut costs during today’s Question
Time. The Minister contended that “In the context of a significant
reduction in the funding available to my Department, it has been necessary to
reduce budget allocations to all spending areas, including the Northern Ireland
Courts and Tribunals Service (NICTS). It is simply no longer sustainable to
operate 20 courthouses in a place the size of Northern Ireland.” Mr Ford added
that “the programme will involve a comprehensive review of current processes
and practices, with a view to designing an enhanced, integrated and affordable
service delivery model.” Having launched the consultation process the Minister
is looking forward to receiving the views of the public and taking them into
consideration before moving forward.
John Dallat
also asked the Minister about his plans to tackle the increased levels of drugs
found in Northern Ireland’s prisons. Mr Ford described the problem as “a
societal issue and is a significant factor in offending behaviour.” As such it
is a major problem for the entire criminal system and not just the prison
service. The Prison Service attempt to address the issue via a three-pronged
approach of ‘restrict supply, reduce demand and assist recovery’. The Minister
argued that the increased discovery of drugs shows that the approach is working
and the detection of contraband is becoming more successful. The Prison Service
has also established a team to address the recommendations of the recent CJINI
inspection report, 'The
Safety of Prisoners Held by the Northern Ireland Prison Service'.
Also
addressed during Question Time was the Policing Board budget, Policing and Community Safety Partnerships,
legal aid and the National Crime Agency.
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