Prison Service unlocks Freedom of the Borough

ANTRIM and Newtownabbey Borough Council has conferred the Freedom of the Borough upon the Northern Ireland Prison Service at a special ceremony held at Theatre at The Mill.

The Deputy Lieutenant for County Antrim, Pauline Shields OBE, and Director General, Beverley Wall were amongst the 150 guests, who gathered to mark the occasion.

“The Freedom of the Borough is the highest honour the Council can bestow upon an organisation,” said Mayor Leah Kirkpatrick.

“The Northern Ireland Prison Service makes an invaluable contribution to our society, and is a truly deserving recipient of this distinguished award.

“This recognition reflects the unwavering dedication, professionalism and bravery of its officers, and their steadfast commitment to maintaining safety across Northern Ireland.”

Justice Minister, Naomi Long said: “I want to thank the Council for recognising the exceptional work of everyone in the Northern Ireland Prison Service.

“Prisons play a hugely important role in our justice system by supporting and challenging people in our care to change.

“The work of the Prison Service is sometimes described as the ‘hidden’ part of the justice system as they work behind walls and gates and often out of the sight and mind of the general public.

“However, the impact of their work resonates in every town, street and household across Northern Ireland.

“This honour belongs to each of them, and they can take great pride in the work they do.”

 Director General of the Northern Ireland Prison Service, Beverley Wall added: “I am incredibly proud of the men and women of the Prison Service - those serving today and those who served before us.

“This honour is a recognition of their professionalism, integrity and empathy for those in their care.

“We also take time to remember the 32 colleagues who lost their lives serving our community.

“We hold their families in our thoughts; they live with that loss every day, and we are proud to have them as part of our wider Prison Service family.

“As we receive this award from Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, we promise that - despite the challenges we face - we will continue to serve everyone in Northern Ireland and do our part to help keep our community safe.”

The official ceremony follows a commemorative parade which took place in Ballyclare earlier in the day.

Representatives from the Northern Ireland Prison Service paraded from Ballyclare Town Hall to Ballyclare War Memorial Park where they gathered for a commemorative service.

The Freedom of the Borough is the highest award that the Council can grant and is awarded to local people and organisations who have rendered eminent services to the Borough.

The Northern Ireland Prison Service will now be added to the Council’s Roll of Honourable Freemen alongside former councillors, scientists, business leaders and sporting heroes.