Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 9 Mar 1994

Vol. 440 No. 2

Written Answers. - New Prison for Female Offenders.

Martin Cullen

Question:

22 Mr. Cullen asked the Minister for Justice if, in view of her recent announcement that she will provide a new prison for female offenders, a comprehensive study has been undertaken as to an alternative means of dealing with female offenders; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Máirín Quill

Question:

26 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Justice if, in view of her recent announcement that she will provide a new prison for female offenders, a comprehensive study has been undertaken as to an alternative means of dealing with female offenders; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 26 together. If I could be satisfied that imprisoning female offenders was not necessary and that there was an effective alternative available, I would be only too glad to adopt it. The simple fact of the matter is that for some female offenders the courts find it impossible to impose other than a custodial sanction. I do not believe that any amount of study will demonstrate other than that prison, in some cases, is unavoidable.

I am referring here not just to women offenders who commit very serious offences, for example, murder and armed robbery for whom society would expect a custodial sanction, but also a varied core of women offenders for whom alternatives have not worked. These include, for example, serious drug addicts who persist in crime to feed the drug habit or offenders who persist in crime anyway regardless of the leniency already shown to them by the courts.

There is no doubt, of course, that many of the women who end up in prison have been seriously disadvantaged or deprived, abused or exploited. That is why I am determined that the new women's prison will be designed and organised with an ambiance, activities and facilities which will give them maximum help to cope with their disadvantage and every assistance and encouragement to lead them to a more constructive life-style. The first step in this process has been my establishment of an expert Steering Committee to advise me on the best options to take in relation to the design of the women's prison and I look forward to a stage where I can be satisfied that the prison will meet the high standards I am setting.

ceed with construction of a new women's prison, I am also determined to promote alternatives to custody to the maximum for women and male offenders alike. These include greater recourse to probation, supervision and Community Services Orders, and the promotion and development of hostel-type treatment. I am, in fact, considering the provision of a new hostel in conjunction with the construction of the new women's prison. This hostel would be geared towards women offenders who showed that they did not need a custodial setting but yet required an organised environment in which to prepare for full return to the community. The Deputy will also be aware of my support for the "New Opportunity for Women" (NOW) project under which a specialist training and education centre will be set up in the community for the benefit of women offenders. The project is being supported by European Union funds. It represents a very positive development in the overall treatment approach to women who come in conflict with the law and in a way, will complement the development of the new prison.