Ramsey: Justice Department Need To Prioritise End Of Strip Searches
SDLP Foyle MLA Pat Ramsey has expressed concern after the Justice Minister revealed that his Department have not yet submitted an application to use the X-Ray Transmission scanners as part of the pilots to end strip searching in prisons.
Mr Ramsey said:
“I am deeply concerned that the Minister has still not prioritised this important piece of technology for use within the prison estate. The Anne Owers report outlined the need for ‘effective and less intrusive method of full-body searching’, and I am aware that the Millimeter Wave Scanners have already begun their pilot in both Magilligan and Hydebank.
I sincerely hope that there is no delay and the commitment that the Minister made that the application would be ready by the end of this month will be monitored very closely. We all want an end to strip searching, that is clear from support in the community and indeed opinions from officers within the prisons. I will continue to monitor this process and fight for an end to strip searching for all prisoners. ”
