asked the Minister for Justice the steps, if any, that have been taken to implement the proposals made in the Visiting Committee Reports of 1974 and 1975 on the inadequacy of recreational facilities, lack of ventilation, prison work, educational facilities, parole, remand prisoners, young prisoners, first offenders and legal aid at Limerick Prison.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Limerick Prison Amenities.
51.
The main problem in relation to recreational facilities in Limerick Prison is that the grounds of the prison are not extensive enough to enable a desirable range of outdoor activities to be catered for and adequate workshop, work training and educational facilities to be provided. As short term measures, some office accommodation has been redesigned to provide an educational unit and a prefabricated workshop is being built. I hope that plans for more extensive improvements can be implemented over the next few years. An extensive range of additional indoor recreational facilities has been provided since the committee commented on those facilities.
The lack of ventilation referred to was dealt with.
All prisoners committed to Limerick Prison as to any other prison have their cases reviewed regularly by a committee comprising members of the staff of the prison, a welfare officer, teachers and a representative of my Department's headquarters. Daily conditional release to work or full temporary release are recommended by the committee in appropriate cases. This committee also considers the cases of young prisoners and first offenders and makes recommendations for the transfer of suitable prisoners to other centres providing educational or work/training programmes suitable to their needs.
I think that certain developments since they made their report have overtaken the committee's recommendation in regard to legal aid.
In regard to the remarks concerning remand prisoners, I am not prepared to comment on criticism of the Judiciary and other persons in respect of whom I have no official responsibility.