asked the Minister for Justice the plans he has to relieve the present crisis in prison accommodation; and the plans he has for the repair and future use of Spike Island.
Written Answers. - Prison Accommodation.
22.
Limerick East): Work is proceeding on the construction of the new place of detention for male juveniles at Wheatfield, Clondalkin, County Dublin, which, when completed in 1987, will provide 320 additional prison places. Work is also proceeding on the construction of a new cell block at Cork prison which will accommodate about 50 offenders, enabling the purpose built education unit at Cork to be returned fully to educational use. This new cell block is due to be completed towards the end of April next.
At Portlaoise prison work is in progress on the renovation and reroofing of the D Block at the prison. This will enable about 30 additional prisoners to be held there. It is hoped to have this work completed in the early spring. At Mountjoy female prison work on an extension is continuing. This extension, which again I hope will be completed early in the new year, will enable better segregation to be provided and will improve conditions generally.
At Fort Mitchel, Spike Island, work is proceeding to increase the capacity of the institution from 50 to 80 and it is intended that this work will be completed in about three months. As I said in reply to a question here on 23 October, the building damaged in the fire will not be rebuilt to its former state. No decision has yet been taken on major development at the Fort. In addition if the new unit at the Central Mental Hospital, Dundrum, is utilised to deal with prisoners with serious drug problems a further 31 places would be available.
In addition I am considering the possibility of utilising the former Scoil Ard Mhuire at Oberstown, Lusk, County Dublin, and the newly completed single officers quarters at Portlaoise as accommodation for offenders.
I would not like it to be thought that the problem faced by society in dealing with criminals can or should be solved solely by reference to the provision of more custodial places. The community service orders scheme which I introduced last year as an alternative to imprisonment has dealt with 509 offenders since it commenced — offenders who would have been committed to prison but for the existence of that scheme.
The House will be aware that the report of the Committee of Inquiry into the Penal System deals at some length with the question of prison accommodation as well as alternative methods of dealing with offenders. As I have already indicated to the House the recommendations contained in the report are being examined at present.