DAVID Ford has defended staff at Maghaberry amid caims that several prisoners were injured during recent violent clashes. Controversy erupted after several republicans claimed they were assaulted by prison officers during a clash.
Mr Ford rejected the claims.
construction work was carried out in Roe House, which holds republican inmates, without consultation.
The detention block was locked down by authorities several times and the prison's riot squad was deployed.
One prisoner, Martin Kelly including a suspected broken arm.
He claims he has been denied access to an outside hospital unless he accepts a strip search by officers from the riot squad, which he has refused.
Mr Ford said a nurse who examined him found no evidence of injuries. incident the nurse said there were no injuries to any prisoner, so you may draw your own inferences," he said. "If there wasn't even a bruise, there certainly wasn't a break." "An individual declined a rub down search to be taken to an external hospital.
injury to anybody who was in Roe House at that time."
The Irish News spoke with Mr Kelly, who is facing charges of possessing a weapon, last week.
The 45-year-old, pictured, appeared with cuts to his face and a large lump on the back of his head.
His right arm was also