New head for NI Prison Service
A new Director General has been appointed to the Northern Ireland Prison Service.
The Department of Justice announced on Thursday that Colin McConnell will be taking up the role with immediate effect.
An open recruitment competition was held in December to replace Robin Masefield who quit the post last year.
Mr McConnell, a father of five, was previously the NIPS Director of Operations.
The selection comes just weeks before Dame Anne Owers is expected to publish her initial report on the Independent Review of Prisons.
Justice Minister David Ford said: “This will be an important and challenging year for everyone in the Northern Ireland Prison Service and I welcome Colin’s appointment as Director General.
“He brings with him a wealth of experience to this demanding post, having worked previously in other prison services across the United Kingdom and also provides a fresh perspective on how to deal with the challenges faced today in the Northern Ireland Prison Service.
“As the work to modernise and reform the service will gather pace over the next 12 months, Colin has my full support in delivering the necessary changes to the Northern Ireland Prison Service.”
Mr McConnell described receiving the post as “a great privilege.”
“I am under no illusions as to the scale of the challenge ahead, to transform and modernise a proud prison service, which in the future must be capable of delivering for the people of Northern Ireland,” he said.
“Change is never easy for any organisation, no matter what the size and I know that there will be difficulties ahead.
“However doing nothing is not an option and I am determined to work in partnership with others across the service to deliver on the Minister’s commitment to reform the Prison Service.”
