HMP Magilligan

A medium to low security training prison

In shortMagilligan is a medium to low security prison for sentenced men with six years or less to serve, focused on pre-release preparation and resettlement.

• Held, 31 March 2025486Adult male sentenced prisoners on transfer from Maghaberry, all of category B or lower (IMB)
• Released each monthAbout 40Men released into the community (2025 inspection report)
• Recalled to custodyAlmost a fifth

The Department of Justice in Northern Ireland describes Magilligan as a medium to low security prison holding male prisoners with six years or less to serve who meet the relevant security classification. A small number are serving life sentences.

Its focus, the IMB writes, is pre-release preparation, risk management and resettlement, with a regime that promotes responsibility and trust and gives prisoners increasing freedom as they progress.

• The 2025 inspection report adds that many men were serving sentences of between two and four years.
• It also notes that the prison occasionally receives men from Hydebank Wood.

History and accommodation

In shortMagilligan opened in 1971 as a ‘compound prison’ and now offers a clear route of progression from Halward House through Alpha to Foyleview.

The H-Blocks are still in use and have been refurbished with features such as double-glazed windows and in-cell sanitation.

1. Prisoners from Maghaberry are initially housed in Halward House.
2. The H-Blocks hold general population, a safer custody landing, older men with complex needs and vulnerable prisoners.
3. Men move through the low-supervision Alpha unit to Foyleview, a low-security unit outside the main wall.
4. In some cases they move on to Runkerry, a four-bed unit for men nearing the end of their sentence.

What inspectors found in September 2025

In shortInspectors assessed all four healthy prison tests as ‘good’ and called Magilligan one of the very best prisons in the United Kingdom.

• SafetyGood
• RespectGood
• Purposeful activityGood
• Preparation for releaseGood

Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland (CJI), His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons in England and Wales, the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority and the Education and Training Inspectorate inspected unannounced from 9 to 26 September 2025 and published their report on 26 March 2026.

Inspectors said Magilligan is now considered one of the very best prisons in the United Kingdom, that performance had improved since the last full inspection in 2021 and the 2023 review, and that staff-prisoner relationships were excellent.

• They found 19 examples of notable practice, including communication between fathers in prison and their children, support from the Prisoner Safety and Support Team, services from a learning disability nurse and a speech and language therapist, and a clear progression pathway.
• Violence and use of force were lower than in similar prisons in England and Wales.
• Time out of cell was among the best inspectors had seen in recent years, with men unlocked for eight to 10 hours a day.
• Over four-fifths of prisoners took part in education, skills or work.
• The Care and Supervision Unit was called the best inspectors had seen in the UK.

Concerns and the state of the estate

In shortInspectors raised 11 concerns, four of them priorities, and both inspectors and the IMB want old buildings replaced.

On the estate, the Chief Inspectors noted that Magilligan still relies on Second World War Nissen huts for workshops and other old buildings, and called for strategic decisions on remodelling the prison.

Staffing, education and health partners

In shortTeamwork was a strength despite officer shortfalls, with good education outcomes and a UK-first shared digital health record.

• Qualifications achieved at Level 243%Qualifications achieved at Level 2; education generally good (inspectors)
• Enrolled on at least one course440Against a target of 324 (IMB)

The inspection’s leadership section says teamwork was a strength and that, despite staffing shortfalls at officer level, staff pulled together to deliver the regime fully and consistently, with temporary staff used to maintain safe levels while recruitment was progressed. Staff morale was described as good.

The long-serving governor, in post since May 2021, was credited in the report with setting a clear direction, and the IMB thanked him and his deputy for an open-door approach.

• Education is led by Belfast Metropolitan College and delivered through North West Regional College.
• Courses range from barbering and bricklaying to horticulture and a new barista award.
• Health care is provided by the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, which RQIA praised for introducing the first shared digital health care record in the UK.

Working at Magilligan

In shortNI Prison Service Custody Prison Officers advertised at £32,510 to £42,725 a year (marked ‘under review’) across Maghaberry, Magilligan and Hydebank Wood.

• Advertised salary£32,510 to £42,725A year; marked ‘under review’
• Risk allowance£4,284Annual
• Boot allowance£92.80

The Northern Ireland Prison Service’s Custody Prison Officer campaign named Maghaberry, Magilligan and Hydebank Wood as the places of work, with a closing time of noon on Friday 17 July 2026; applications go through the NICS recruitment website. We checked this on 3 October 2026.

The page does not say which prison a new officer will be posted to, and we did not find training details.

• The position of the prison on the north coast is a practical point for anyone considering the role, but we found no official travel or housing guidance for staff.
• Our Northern Ireland pay guide, the prison officer jobs by region guide and the prison finder set the role in context.