Hydebank Wood celebrates a decade of transformation into Northern Ireland’s first secure college

Beverley Wall, Director General of the Northern Ireland Prison Service, Richard Taylor (right), Governor of Hydebank Wood Secure College and Women’s Prison, and Damian Duffy, Belfast Metropolitan College Chief Executive are pictured at the celebration event to mark the 10th anniversary of the Hydebank facility becoming a secure college.

Hydebank Wood Secure College and Women’s Prison today commemorates a pivotal milestone: ten years since its transformation from a young offenders centre into Northern Ireland’s first secure college — a progressive institution where rehabilitation, education, and personal development take centre stage.

Speaking at a ceremony marking the anniversary, Justice Minister Naomi Long described Hydebank Wood as “more than just a prison; it is a place of learning, a place of opportunity, and a place where people are given a second chance to build a positive future.”

A Vision of Rehabilitation Realised

Minister Long praised the decade-long evolution of the facility, emphasising the vision laid out in the 2011 Review of the Northern Ireland Prison Service.

“This has been a remarkable journey that has seen us reimagine the very purpose of what prisons are for,” she said, “and how best to unlock the potential for rehabilitation and reintegration back into our community.”

The transformation includes modern educational infrastructure, purpose-built classrooms, and vocational workshops that have replaced the outdated custodial environment. “Innovative programmes focusing on literacy, numeracy, vocational skills, and personal development have also been implemented,” the Minister stated.

Crucially, she highlighted a cultural shift in the interactions between staff and inmates, moving towards a more supportive, mentoring approach. “Recognising the individual needs and the potential of each person” has become a cornerstone of the college’s ethos, she explained.

Community and Education at the Heart

Central to Hydebank Wood’s success is its partnership with Belfast Metropolitan College, along with community and voluntary organisations. Minister Long noted, “This collaboration has brought a wealth of expertise, ensuring that the educational provision is of the highest quality and directly relevant to the needs of the people who live here.”

She underscored the role of external partners in providing crucial support in areas such as mental health, addiction recovery, and post-release reintegration, calling it “a network of dedicated individuals and organisations” that has helped shape the facility into “a place of best practice.”

Beverley Wall, Director General of the Northern Ireland Prison Service and Richard Taylor (right), Governor of Hydebank Wood Secure College and Women’s Prison, are pictured with guests at the special celebration event to mark the 10th anniversary of the Hydebank facility becoming a secure college.

Educational Impact and Social Reintegration

Echoing this sentiment, Damian Duffy, Interim Principal and Chief Executive of Belfast Met, expressed pride in the college’s contribution over the past decade:

“The partnership and investment provides students with access to a range of high-quality, accredited training and employability programmes alongside essential skills and life skills opportunities.”

He noted that the education model adopted at Hydebank Wood not only equips inmates with tools for employment but also contributes to society through reduced reoffending and improved social outcomes.

“This commitment plays a key role in highlighting the benefits to individuals to include improved self-esteem and wellbeing; all of which provides for improved life chances and successful reintegration into society upon release,” said Mr Duffy.

A Milestone, Not a Conclusion

As she closed her remarks, Minister Long called the 10th anniversary a “significant milestone,” while acknowledging that continuous improvement is necessary. “Challenges remain… However, the progress achieved over the past decade stands as a powerful example of what can be accomplished through a clear vision, strong leadership, dedicated staff, and effective partnerships.”

Mr Duffy added that Belfast Met looks forward to continuing its collaboration with the Northern Ireland Prison Service, affirming the shared commitment to advancing prison education and rehabilitation.

A Model for the Future

Hydebank Wood’s decade as a secure college stands as a compelling example of reform in action — a model that may well inform broader strategies across the UK and beyond. As Justice Minister Long aptly summarised, “Hydebank Wood is a symbol of our commitment to rehabilitation, to reducing reoffending, and to creating safer communities.”