Fall in prisoners receiving benefits
The number of prisoners in Northern Ireland in receipt of benefits has fallen over the past number of years.
Three years ago 56 prisoners in local jails were receiving state pension, incapacity benefit, severe disablement allowance, widows’ benefits, bereavement and maternity allowance.
But this dropped to 38 in 2011/12 before falling to 27 in 2012/13.
The figures were released on Wednesday (January 15) in response to a Freedom of Information request.