Northern Ireland criminal damage by prisoners and cost of repairs over the past five years revealed

The number of incidents of criminal damage by prisoners and cost of repairs in Northern Ireland have been revealed in new figures. The Justice Minister shared the figures, spanning the past five years, in response to a written question this week.

From 2020 to 2025, there were a total of 446 recorded incidents of criminal damage by prisoners over the last five years in Northern Ireland's prisons. The Criminal Damage (NI) Order 1977 defines criminal damage as the destruction or damage of property without lawful excuse.

It also includes threatening to destroy or damage property, or possessing something with the intent to do so. The order covers property belonging to another person, or the offender's own property if it endangers others.

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In terms of the cost of repairs, 2024 was the priciest year over the past five, with criminal damage repairs costing £104,650. In 2021, the cost of repairs was at its lowest of £57,300.

The Justice Minister, in response to the query, said details of incidents are passed onto the PSNI "for their consideration" if cases of damage are "deliberate and malicious." The Minister added: "Prosecutions are a matter for the PSNI and the Public Prosecution Service."

A spokesperson for NI Prison Service said: “Any act of criminal damage in our prisons is unacceptable. When an individual is identified as being responsible for damaging prison property they may subject to adjudication under Prison Rules. his can lead to loss of privileges and other charges. In many cases details will also be passed to the Police Service for their consideration.”

Details of criminal damage by prisoners in NI

There were a total of 446 recorded incidents of criminal damage by prisoners over the last five years;

The total cost to repair the damage over the last five years was;

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