Around 30 prisoners are now employed in a new initiative to recycle plastic, tin-cans, cardboard, newspaper and broken pallets. Waste electronic and electrical equipment is also recycled.

In its first six months of operation, the recycling project recovered 11 tonnes of scrap metal and 9.5 tonnes of plastics and paper.

In addition to the environmental benefits, prisoners who sign up to the project can also gain NVQ qualifications, with a number being offered jobs with local recycling companies once their sentence is complete.

A Material Recovery Facility or ‘picking station’, shredder and waste-bailer have been purchased by the Northern Ireland Prison Service at a cost of £150,000. Maghaberry spent £62,000 on skips and waste disposal in 2015/16, which has already been significantly reduced.

David Kennedy, governor at Maghaberry, said: “Recycling is incredibly important for the environment and it is also very important for the Northern Ireland Prison Service in reducing the cost of our landfill.

“It’s also a growing industry in Northern Ireland and already we have several employers who are offering positions for people who want to take a better road when they’re released.

“Ultimately, Maghaberry Prison is working to reduce reoffending by challenging people, and supporting them to change and this initiative is another way to achieve this.”