Inmates charged over cell phones

Mobile phones pose a threat to discipline, the Prison Service says

Two prisoners have been charged under prison rules after three mobile phones were found in Maghaberry prison.

The Prison Service said the phones were found in Bann House on Wednesday.

One was a camera phone and in a statement on Friday the service said this was the first camera phone to be found in the prison.

It said mobile phones posed a threat to "good order and discipline" and camera phones could "compromise" the security of the prison and staff.

Since January 2005, 15 mobile telephones have been found in Maghaberry.

The majority were found in residential areas, but at least one was found on a prisoner returning from home leave.

With the advancement of technology mobile telephones have become much smaller and therefore more difficult to find Alan Longwell Prison governor

Governor of Maghaberry Alan Longwell said that the professionalism and vigilance of staff deserved credit.

"It is only through the vigilance of staff and an effective search policy that can we make the prison a safer and more secure environment for both prisoners and the officers who work with them," he said.

"What we have found is that with the advancement of technology, mobile telephones have become much smaller and therefore more difficult to find.

"We are constantly reviewing our search methods and procedures to take account of such developments."