‘Major search’ at Maghaberry jail
Inmates at Maghaberry Prison in County Antrim have been locked in their cells and a major search operation is under way.
All domestic and legal visits to the jail have been suspended.
A Prison Service statement said the search was “in the interests of the safety of staff, prisoners and visitors”.
Governor Steve Rodford said every effort was being made to keep disruption to a minimum.
“I hope to be in a position to return to normal regime levels as soon as is practically possible,” he said.
Last month, traces of a component used in Semtex explosives were found in the cells of republican prisoners during searches.
The component was detected in swab tests taken during routine searches of two cells at Roe House.
At that time, a Prison Service spokesman said no Semtex was found during the operation.
Maghaberry is Northern Ireland’s high security prison with republican and loyalist paramilitaries among its inmates.
The Prison Service said it regretted any inconvenience and that all visits lost would be re-scheduled.
