Making a complaint about prisons

A visitor, prisoner or former prisoner can make a complaint about:

• his or her treatment by staff
• the facilities available at the prison
• the cleanliness and standard of prison premises

Complaints by visitors

Visitors can fill in a booklet that is available in the Visitors' Centre, Visits Reception Complex or from Family Liaison Officers. You can place the completed booklet in one of the post boxes provided in the Visitors' Centre and Visitors' Reception.

You can also post your booklet to the prison you are complaining about. You will need to address it to the Prison Visits Manager.

You will need to make your complaint within 21 days.

• more information about how visitors can make a complaint

Complaints by prisoners

Prisoner complaint forms are available on all landings and the Northern Ireland Prison Service operates a confidential complaints system.

Former prisoners wishing to make a complaint should submit it in writing to the Governor of the prison where he or she was most recently imprisoned. The complaint must be submitted within 21 days of the incident which forms the basis of the complaint.

Next steps

Any complaint against prison staff or services will be investigated by the Prison Service and you will get a written response within 22 days.

If you are not satisfied with the response, you can refer your complaint to the Prisoner Ombudsman.

Useful links

• NIPS complaints policy and procedure
• Northern Ireland Prison Service
• Prisons