The Minister of State for Northern Ireland (Paul Goggins) has made the following Ministerial Statement:

I have placed copies of the Northern Ireland Prison Service's corporate and business plan for 2008-11 in the Libraries of both Houses.

The corporate and business plan contains key performance targets that I have set for the service for 2008-09. These are:

no escape for category A prisoners;

no more than three escapes per categories B, C or D prisoners;

the number of staff assaulted by prisoners is less than a ratio of three per 100 prisoners;

the number of prisoners assaulted by prisoners is less than a ratio of four per 100 prisoners;

an average of at least 20 hours constructive activity per week for each sentenced prisoner;

an average of at least 10 hours constructive activity per week for each remand prisoner;

to ensure 87 per cent of prisoners serving six months or more are working to a resettlement plan and that 97 per cent of lifers work to a life sentence plan, including preparation of the plan, within the first six months of sentence;

each member of staff should receive an average of five training days;

reduce the rate of absenteeism to 12 days per head by 2008-09 with an overall reduction to 11 days by 2009-10;

lay the annual report and audited accounts before Parliament prior to the Summer Recess; and

ensure the average cost per prisoner place does not exceed £81,500.