REPUBLICAN inmates have threatened to launch a protest over visiting conditions at Maghaberry Prison.
In a statement, prisoners last night called for talks to find a solution to the dispute.
The majority of republican prisoners are currently held in Maghaberry's Roe House.
Restrictions were placed on visiting arrangements at the north's prisons at the start of the pandemic but relaxed last year.
Visits were again temporarily suspended after Christmas in the face of the Omicron threat.
In-person visits resumed on January 31 according to officials.
However, it is understood that republican prisoners have recently questioned whether some of the covid-linked restrictions continue to be necessary.
Republicans say a maximum of three people are currently allowed to attend what they describe as "closed visits" where prison staff are present and loved ones are separated by a clear screen.
The Irish News understands that key concerns raised by prisoners relate to physical contact with children during visits.
Republicans say prisoners are only allowed physical contact with one child even if two are on the visit and if two children are in attendance a father must chose which one he hugs, resulting in the other being denied physical contact.
A Prison Service spokesman said that at present "a maximum of two adults and one child, or one adult and two children are permitted to attend a visit" adding that "contact can be facilitated between children under the age of 11 and their parent in custody".
Republicans insist the current arrangements are "inadequate" in terms of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights - which protects the right to family life.
They added that they are prepared "to engage in meaningful dialogue to reach resolutions over the coming weeks".
However, they also warned that "if no such resolutions take place we are left with no other option than to commence protest action".
"We seek no concessions nor have any unreasonable demands," they said.
"We simply wish to see and embrace our loved ones again for the first time in almost two years in facilities as they were pre pandemic.
"Nothing short of this will we accept."
A spokesman for the Prison Service said: "Keeping people safe has been our top priority throughout the pandemic. The threat of Covid-19 is particularly challenging in a prison.
"However, we will continue to be proactive in our response to Covid-19 and to relax restrictions when it is safe to do so.
"The restrictions put in place apply equally to all 1,600 prisoners currently in our care and have ensured the safety of the prison population. To date only four prisoners in the general prison population have tested positive, a clear demonstration that the proportionate actions taken by NIPS during the past two years have been highly effective."
