National Preventive Mechanism Eleventh Annual Report 2019–20 IMBNI reported serious concerns about HMP Magilligan in 2019–20. IMBNI raised concerns over the staff shortages during the 2019 festive period which resulted in prisoners, including those who normally receive medication via supervised swallow, receiving a two-week supply of medication in cell. This led to bullying and violence, with numerous prisoners then deprived of necessary medication. Staff were unable to manage the situation and were subsequently ordered to enter each cell to account for medication, which caused disquiet among prisoners and potentially breached medical confidentiality. This incident reflects broader concerns about the illicit availability of prescription drugs in HMP Magilligan, with the Board reporting a shift towards more prescription drugs, such as opioid painkillers, being detected (rather than the psychoactive substances seen previously).113 In March 2020, the Prisoner Ombudsman published an investigation into the death of 27-year-old Paul Johnston at HMP Magilligan whose death was caused by an accidental overdose of Fentanyl and Alprazolam on 4 August 2017. Neither drug was prescribed to him.114 NPM members completed a multidisciplinary inspection of Ash House and Hydebank Wood Secure College in 2019. RQIA, CJINI, HMI Prisons and the Education and Training Inspectorate found ‘remarkable’ progress. The areas of safety, respect and rehabilitation were good, and purposeful activity was reasonably good at both facilities. Significant improvements had been made to the environment and the care and support of prisoners who required periods of time in the Hydebank Wood’s Care and Supervision Unit. Inspectors found a high number of previous recommendations had been achieved, and levels of violence and self-harm at Ash House were lower than rates found at the previous inspection, and lower than in comparative prisons in England. However, there were concerns about the absence of a systematic approach to the identification of women eligible for public health screening programmes while in prison. Concerns regarding access to care and treatment of patients with substance misuse needs were also identified.115 There had been an increase in the number of women detained at Ash House which led to doubling up in some cells, relocation of some women and the opening of a separate committal landing for women. While the IMBNI at Hydebank Wood welcomed the introduction of a new committal landing, they were concerned about the lack of progress in developing a separate women’s prison, with a regime and culture suited to the needs of female prisoners. The IMBNI at Hydebank Wood also praised the new learning and skills centre which was opened in September 2019. However, the IMBNI also reported concerns about the length of time some young men have been held in segregation. In some instances, the reason for segregation was suspected possession of drugs as indicated by a drugs dog. IMBNI has called for alternative reliable equipment for testing of prisoners for drugs and mobile phones to be made available to prisons in Northern Ireland. The IMBNI at Hydebank Wood also reported concerns about the use of restraint in prisons, with one particularly serious incident where five prison officers restrained a female prisoner. IMBNI also reported a lack of confidence in the 113 IMB Northern Ireland, February 2020, Independent Monitoring Board Annual Report 2018-19: Magilligan Prison, http:// www.imb-ni.org.uk/publications/feb-20/Magilligan_Annual_Report_18-19.pdf [accessed 24/08/2020] 114 NI Prisoner Ombudsman, March 2020, Investigation Report into the Circumstances Surrounding the Death of Mr Paul Johnston, https://niprisonerombudsman.gov.uk/publications/download/121 [accessed 24/08/2020] 115 CJINI, July 2020, Report on an Unannounced Inspection of Hydebank Wood Secure College, http://cjini.org/TheInspections/ Inspection-Reports/2020/April-June/Unannounced-Inspection-of-Hydebank-Wood-Secure-Col [accessed 24/08/2020] 38