A hand-made poppy wreath crafted by inmates from Maghaberry Prison was unveiled at a memorial service in east Belfast today.
The commemorative piece was displayed in the Hydebank Wood Memorial Garden as part of an annual ceremony held by the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS).
The yearly memorial service remembers the 32 officers who lost their lives over the course of their service.
With a King Charles insignia at it’s centre, the ceramic wreath and a matching bespoke stand for the piece was made by prisoners, a number of whom are ex-serviceman.
The ceramic wreath was handmade by prisoners from Maghaberry prison
The poppy wreath was a collaborative effort from the Prison Service, Belfast MET SSAFA (the Armed Forces Charity) and was designed by Lucy Turner from the Prison Arts Foundation.
During the service, conducted by Prison Service chaplains, The Last Post was played before a two-minutes silence was observed and the Reveille sounded.
A roll of honour listing all 32 officers who lost their lives in the course of duty was also read.
Among those in attendance was Justice Minister Naomi Long, NIPS Director General, Suzanne Wild, High Sheriff of County Down, Beverley Wall and David Kennedy and the Director of Prisons and President of the Central Benevolent Fund (CBF).
Naomi Long paying her respects at the memorial service
Prison staff, widows, widowers and close relatives of deceased staff, retired officers and representatives of the staff associations and the Irish Prison Service were also present at the service.
Justice Minister Naomi Long said: “This is an important event for the Prison Service, and also for the families and friends of those we have lost. Today we remember the contribution of those prison officers and pay tribute to them and the important role they played in keeping Northern Ireland safe.”
Wreaths were laid by bereaved widows and the other dignitaries in attendance.