Northern Ireland criminal damage by prisoners and cost of repairs over the past five years revealed

A prison oficer standing in front of a cell door in Maghabbery Prison
-Credit:Michael Cooper


The number of incidents of criminal damage by prisoners and cost of repairs in Northern Ireland have been revealed in new figures. The Justice Minister shared the figures, spanning the past five years, in response to a written question this week.

From 2020 to 2025, there were a total of 446 recorded incidents of criminal damage by prisoners over the last five years in Northern Ireland's prisons. The Criminal Damage (NI) Order 1977 defines criminal damage as the destruction or damage of property without lawful excuse.

It also includes threatening to destroy or damage property, or possessing something with the intent to do so. The order covers property belonging to another person, or the offender's own property if it endangers others.

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In terms of the cost of repairs, 2024 was the priciest year over the past five, with criminal damage repairs costing £104,650. In 2021, the cost of repairs was at its lowest of £57,300.

The Justice Minister, in response to the query, said details of incidents are passed onto the PSNI "for their consideration" if cases of damage are "deliberate and malicious." The Minister added: "Prosecutions are a matter for the PSNI and the Public Prosecution Service."

DUP MLA Michelle McIlveen submitted the written question and said the incidents were "disappointing", but said there are other concerning areas to look at. She said: “It is disappointing that we are seeing sustained high incidences of criminal damage occurring in our prisons. The number is general on the rise along with the amount of damage with repairs costing a total of £406,700 over the last five years with £104,650 in last year alone.

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"But of greater concern are the number of attacks on staff. 96 prison officers were attached last year alone with a total of 324 over the last five years. These too are on an upward trajectory.

“I will be submitting further questions on these issues. But if we look at the current vacancy levels within the Prison Service, the concern is that this is contributing towards the situation where staff are unsafe and there is a greater risk to property within prisons.”

A spokesperson for NI Prison Service said: “Any act of criminal damage in our prisons is unacceptable. When an individual is identified as being responsible for damaging prison property they may subject to adjudication under Prison Rules. his can lead to loss of privileges and other charges. In many cases details will also be passed to the Police Service for their consideration.”

Details of criminal damage by prisoners in NI

There were a total of 446 recorded incidents of criminal damage by prisoners over the last five years;

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Total

74

68

88

118

98

The total cost to repair the damage over the last five years was;

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Total

£ 71,450

£ 57,300

£ 74,400

£98,900

£ 104,650

If unable to view tables, click here.

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