Published Wednesday, 08 December 2010
The Ombudsman said it was regrettable that mistakes that led to a prisoner's suicide at the jail were repeated when another inmate took his life only a year later.
John Derry, 50, died in hospital in August 2009 after attempting suicide in custody.
The Prisoner Ombudsman's report into his death has highlighted the importance of developing new healthcare strategies at the prison, including safeguards to reduce the risk of self harm.
It identified concerns over "inaccurate and retrospective completion of documentation, recorded observations which were inconsistent with CCTV footage."
The report has made 12 recommendations, six of which have already been implemented.
It said that on the night of Mr Deery's death that medical staff in the prison's healthcare unit were dealing with a further emergency with another prisoner, who subsequently died.
Desi Bannon, Director of Adult Services at the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust said: "The South Eastern Trust offers its sincere condolences to Mr Deery's wife and family circle. Death by suicide is a terrible tragedy.
"The Ombudsman's investigation into Mr Deery's death has highlighted significant issues for healthcare. The falsification of records is unacceptable.
"The Patient Record is the central means of communicating and evidencing care plans and patient condition and every member of staff depends on its integrity."
The DUP Chairman of the Assembly Justice Committee said it would be wrong to point the finger of blame at individual prison officers.
Lord Morrow MLA said: "Whatever systemic failures there are should be addressed by Prison Service management. Systemic failures are the responsibility of management and it is up to management within the Prison Service to move to address them."
SDLP justice spokesperson Alban Maginness has said the report highlights the need for fundamental prison reform.
"Today's report; the erroneous releases; the other deaths in custody all highlight the urgent need for reform.
"We need an informed and evidence based approach to fundamental prison reform. We also need some real leadership from the minister on this issue."
Four staff members are continuing to be disciplined in the wake of Mr Deery's death.