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The Prisoner Ombudsman is appointed by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and investigates complaints from prisoners held in Northern Ireland who remain unhappy with the answer they have received from the Prison Service. The Ombudsman is completely independent of the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS).

With effect from 1 September 2005 the remit of the Prisoner Ombudsman was extended as required by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to investigate deaths in Prison Service Custody. The current Ombudsman is Pauline McCabe, and a team of investigators and other staff support her.