Prison body scanner trial could see end of strip searches

» John Hedges

An Phoblacht Editor

'We have been consistently opposed to the unnecessary and humiliating practice of strip searching'

NEWS that a pilot use of body scanners for searches in Magilligan Prison and Hydebank Centre will begin in September has been welcomed by Raymond McCartney MLA.

If the pilot scheme is successful, it could see the end of intrusive full-body searches.

Raymond McCartney says:

“Sinn Féin has been pressing the Justice Minister for some time now to look at other security systems in jails in the rest of Ireland and in Britain.

“We believe that with the latest technology there is no need for intrusive body searches.”

The Foyle MLA and former prisoner adds: 

“We have been consistently opposed to the unnecessary and humiliating practice of strip searching.

"I will be closely following this trial period through the Justice Committee to ensure that if it is successful we don’t waste any further time in having a new system implemented.”