Loyalist sources have said the Maze Prison is set to close shortly after Easter following the closure yesterday of yet another of the jail's H-blocks.
The sources said the Northern Ireland Office intended to transfer the remaining prisoners from the Maze to the nearby Maghaberry Prison as soon as possible.
Yesterday, a spokesperson for the prison service denied that consideration was being given to closing the Maze Prison ahead of the July 28th deadline for the release of paramilitary prisoners.