£3m specialist centres for Maghaberry

The Donard and Learning and Skills Centres will provide specialist services for the most vulnerable inmates.

It has been developed in partnership with the South Eastern Trust.

Mr Ford was joined by Employment and Learning Minster Stephen Farry and representatives from the Stormont Health and Justice Committees at the event on Thursday.

Opening the new facilities, the minister said it was an important day for the prison service.

"This is not just an investment in bricks and mortar, but in the new Northern Ireland Prison Service which has specially trained officers to deal with the most vulnerable offenders to challenge their offending behaviour, and give them vital skills to help them deal better with life when they leave prison," he said.

The centre will provide a range of vocational activities for offenders which are hoped will improve prisoner their skills after release.

"Prisoner rehabilitation is a cross-departmental responsibility and I'm also very proud that these centres were developed in partnership with my Executive colleagues at DEL and DHSSPS. I would like to replicate that elsewhere in our prison estate," added Mr Ford.

Mr Farry said: "This new Learning and Skills Centre will be key to the successful rehabilitation of prisoners back into their communities. Education and training is key to increasing opportunities for prisoners to make more positive life choices."