Vol. 261 No. 7
asked the MInister for Justice if he is aware of the strong criticisms by the Catholic chaplain of Mountjoy of the system of assessment and treatment of offenders; and if, in the light of these criticisms, the recent disturbances at Mountjoy, the substantial growth in the prison population and the recent major legislative policy decisions, he will set up a commission on penal reform to review the whole system.
97.
asked the Minister for Justice if contract documents have as yet been prepared by his Department and the Office of Public Works for the reconstruction and structural reform of Mountjoy Prison; if not, if he will state the extent to which any survey work has been completed; and the total estimated cost of the proposed work.
98.
asked the Minister for Justice if his Department will consider seeking the recommendations of qualified penologists with regard to the reconstruction of Mountjoy Prison along a more modern and progressive concept similar to detention facilities in Sweden; and, if not, why.
I propose with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 96, 97 and 98 together.
I do not propose to comment on the views of the Catholic Head Chaplain or indeed on the views of any other individual. Neither do I propose to comment on the Swedish prison system. It is, I think, common knowledge that Sweden differs from us quite substantially both in resources and in employment opportunities. There is also some reason to believe that there may be differences in social attitudes between the two countries.
The suggestion that contract documents in respect of Mountjoy Prison might by now be ready is unrealistic. I have available in my Department only a very small number of officers with the requisite knowledge and experience of prison administration to enable them to engage in detailed consultations with architects, et cetera and these same officers, because of their experience, have had to devote most of their time in the last couple of weeks tothe pressing day-to-day problems arising in the immediate aftermath of the riot. The planning work is proceeding as quickly as circumstances permit but I am not willing to see the matter rushed to the point that plans are drawn up and approved without careful and detailed thought. There are many complex and to some extent conflicting factors to be taken into account and balanced. The consequences of decisions made in the coming months will be with us for many years.
I do not propose to set up a commission to deal with this matter. As I explained in my detailed statement about prisons and prison planning in my recent Estimates speech, we are in close touch with developments in other countries and have gained much valuable information from Denmark in particular. Their problems are in many respects similar to ours. They have one new prison, not yet quite completed, but other prison buildings in Denmark are old—some were not even designed as prisons. Neverthless, very successful conversion jobs have been done on them. The Danish authorities have, in fact, studied the problems very fully. They have most generously given us the benefits of their studies from them of what we have learnt from them will be implemented.
Has the chaplain access to Mountjoy at the present time?
That is a matter that does not arise on this Question.
Is the chaplain at present permitted to say Mass at Mountjoy?
That does not arise out of this question.
