asked the Minister for Justice when the original intention to establish Wheatfield Prison as a women's prison was changed to the present plan of having it as a general prison; the reason; the number of prisoners who will be accommodated; the number of jobs which will be provided; whether in view of the very serious unemployment problem in the area preferential consideration will be given to local unemployed people; the protection which will be given to people living near the prison; and the extra facilities which will be provided to compensate people living in the area for the insecurity, stress and the devaluation to their housing that the prison will cause.
Written Answers. - Proposed Wheatfield Prison.
17.
It was publicly announced, when the Wheatfield lands were acquired in 1979, that it was intended to locate a place of detention for young male offenders between 16 and 21 years of age and a prison for women on the site but separated from one another.
Between 1980 and 1984 site development, servicing, perimetering of the two custodial enclosures and construction of services buildings common to both were completed. Construction of the custodial buildings was to begin in 1982 but because of financial limitations from 1981 onwards it was not possible to commence work until 1984 and, even then, it was possible to allocate finance for the place of detention for young male offenders only. Construction of the women's prison was postponed.
As the numbers being committed to custody by the courts was increasing significantly, and as the financial situation made it impossible to commence construction on another planned place of detention for young male offenders in Cork, and as it was becoming increasingly clear that there would be likely to be intense local objection to the establishment of new places of custody in other areas, the accommodation in Wheatfield for young male offenders was redesigned to accommodate 320 rather than the 120 initially announced. Decisions to proceed with changes of this kind evolve over a period and it would be misleading to attempt to ascribe them to a particular date. I should make clear that the accommodation being provided is still intended to be for young male offenders and not adults. Construction is well advanced and is due for completion before the end of 1987.
A staff of about 250 prison service personnel is likely to be required. Recruitment to the prison service is through open competition, conducted by the Civil Service Commission and examinations are publicly advertised from time to time.
For the same reason as the other change was made, the other proposed institution was also redesigned to increase accommodation from 60 to 144. Tenders can be invited and a contract placed when resources permit. The layout is such that cell accommodation not required for females could be used for males, who, by use of a linkway, could use the occupational and other facilities in the nearby place of detention.
When account is taken not only of the category of offender expected to be accommodated but of the high levels of perimetering and the facilities for surveillance that are being provided, there is every reason to be confident that good order and safe custody can be maintained and that there will be no special risks to residents in the locality. I am confident that experience will show that there is no ground for fears in that respect and that it will be found that no harm will be done to the locality,.