The review follows recent protests at the jail

The consultation is to be led by John Steele, who was head of the Northern Ireland Prison Service from 1987 to 1992, and a former head of security policy for the Northern Ireland Office.

Tensions have increased at the jail in recent weeks with dissident republican prisoners staging dirty protests to demand segregation from loyalist inmates.

Eight republican, loyalist and non-paramilitary inmates held a rooftop protest at the prison last month in protest at having to share cells.

There have also been a number of hoax bomb alerts at the jail and several prison officers' homes have been targeted in pipe bomb attacks.

Mr Steele will be assisted by Father Kevin Donaghy, former Catholic chaplain at the Maze Prison and Church of Ireland Canon Barry Dodds, another former prison chaplain.

They are to consider possible measures to improve conditions, in consultation with management at the prison, staff, unions and prisoners.

Recommendations are expected by the end of the month

Other interested groups, such as politicians and families of prisoners, are also expected to be part of the process.

Government sources say the consultation is going ahead after serious concerns about safety were expressed by staff, as well as politicians, churches, prisoners and their families.

Mr Steele's team is expected to make recommendations by the end of August.

The secretary of state said he was confident that recommendations would emerge during the process to improve the safety of staff and inmates and inspire the confidence of their families.

"The safety and conditions of all who live and work within the prison is of paramount importance to me and to everyone in the Prison Service," Mr Murphy said.

"I very much hope that staff and prisoners alike will take full advantage of the opportunity presented by this consultation to share their thinking on what steps can be taken to enhance confidence in the safety and well-being of everyone in the prison.

"I am looking forward to seeing the recommendations that the review team make which will, I know, be creative and forward thinking."