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Prison officers in Northern Ireland’s high security jail have been armed with information regarding an unannounced inspection.

Once described as one of the most dangerous jails ever visited by Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons, HMP Maghaberry is now on full alert for a follow-up.

Belfast Live has been told the next 'unannounced' inspection is expected to take place tomorrow (Monday).

A prison source said: "It looks like we will be inspected on Monday in an unannounced inspection."

But under-pressure warders say the bosses believe they have everything under control following the distribution of a LEAFLET.

The question is posed: "When will the inspection take place?"

And answered: "It is an unannounced inspection, so we don't know."

They have now been distributed around the jail, and one senior officer said: "They've been the subject of more graffiti than a public toilet."

The leaflet is entitled: "Are you ready for inspection? What you need to know about the unannounced inspection at Maghaberry Prison."

Now staff who deal with the country's most hardened convicted criminals, sick paedophiles and paramilitaries, can read up on advice compiled by civil servants in the Department of Justice and the Northern Ireland Prison Service about how to handle the experienced inspection team.

They have been advised not to be modest and explain what they are doing to challenge prisoners to change their ways.

The leaflet includes photographs and a question and answer section to guide warders through the details of how to answer when being spoken to by an inspection team as they move around the jail.

The centre pages presented as "The 'Expectations' document" are intended to help officers get grip of safety, respect , purposeful activity and the rehabilitation and release planning aspects of life in jail.

One prison officer said: "We are all feeling so much better now that we have a wee leaflet. It's absolutely genius. It provides us with five questions and seven answers. So pretty excellent all round.

"We have prisoners trying to kill themselves, staff members under extreme pressure, colleagues facing some very dangerous situations while dealing with a staffing and experience crisis, others suffering physical and mental health concerns and we are expected to just get on with it and pretend everything is wonderful.

"HMP Maghaberry is not a place anyone wants to be, not prisoners and very few prison staff. Problems continue, little changes and the inspectors think they have seen everything and they have not - yet.

"But sure now we have a leaflet so it's all good. If this is what the DoJ thinks will ensure the next unannounced inspection will go like a dream, they need to have a rethink."

The final question of the leaflet asks: "What can I do to make sure we get the best inspection possible?"

The advice on the Justice Department leaflet states:

Don't be modest - tell them about the excellent work you are doing.

Tell the inspectors what you are doing to challenge and support people in custody to change.

Explain everything you do. The inspectors could make recommendations for something you are already doing.

A spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Prison Service said: "NIPS is committed to driving continuous improvement.

"The four 'healthy prison' tests: safety, respect, purposeful activity and resettlement, form the basis for prison inspections and providing information to staff helps them understand and prepare for the inspection process."