News

Councillors meet with prisoners

A DELEGATION of former Sinn Fein councillors has met with republican prisoners in Maghaberry. The group met with a number of inmates held in the prison's Roe Four wing and punishment block which is known as the Care and Supervision Unit. The meeting was organised to discuss "unresolved issues within the prison regime". Prisoners at the jail have called for the introduction of a scanner to be used instead of strip searches. The visiting delegation included Ballymoney councillor Anita Cavlan, Lisburn councillor Angela Nelson, Fermanagh councillor Bernice Swift and Moyle representative Padraig McShane. All four sit on their respective councils as independents. A spokeswoman said the meeting was "productive". "Whilst there were many issues discussed the main core issues which need to be addressed immediately are strip searching, controlled movement and the isolation of republican prisoners," she said. "The delegation felt it was a very productive meeting and it is our intention to meet with all statutory bodies involved to challenge the delay in resolving these matters."