Maghaberry prison Split of prisoners begins
A spokesman for the North's Prison Service said a series of accommodation moves would result in the separation being complete in the next few weeks.
Under the new system, prison officers will remain on wings, while cells will be locked and there will be regular checks on inmates.
The separation comes after a number of incidents including one in January in which loyalist inmates caused extensive damage. The homes of prison officers, including former staff, have also been targeted by loyalists.
The British government has spent approximately £7m to convert two cellblocks at the prison and the new regime will cost an additional £7m a year to run, as it will require extra prison staff.
The Prison Service director insisted his staff would remain fully in control and that it would not be a return to the days of segregated blocks in the former Maze prison.
Currently there are 32 designated loyalist inmates and 26 republicans in the jail who will be separated out of a total prison population of just under 740.
