PRISONERS are to allowed virtual visits to stay in contact with friends and family during the coronavirus pandemic.
Video-link facilities have been introduced at Maghaberry, Magilligan and Hydebank Wood where all visits have been suspended.
To date, there have been no confirmed cases of Covid-19 in any prison in Northern Ireland.
Virtual visits, lasting up to 20 minutes, can be booked by a family member using a personal computer, ipad or smart phone.
Through a secure video-link, prisoners and their families are able to see and speak with each other.
All virtual visits are supervised and any behaviour, language or actions which are inappropriate will see it terminated.
Justice Minister Naomi Long welcomed the initiative.
"We absolutely recognise the importance of family contact for those within our care, and their families. The use of safe and secure video-links in each of our establishments now facilitates family video calling at a time which can be worrying for all of us," she said.
"The last few weeks have clearly been out of the norm for us all. Covid-19 has made us enter a place of uncertainty, which is never comfortable for anyone. However, at a time of forced distancing, I want to assure the families of those in the care of the Northern Ireland Prison Service that we are all in this together."
More detail on how to book a virtual visit can be found at www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/visiting-someone-prison.
