Vol. 452 No. 7
67 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice if she has satisfied herself with the standard and number of prison spaces available; the criteria used to assess the number required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [88269/95]
In my Department's policy document The Management of Offenders — A Five Year Plan, published last June, a comprehensive strategy was set out for the optimum development of the prison system. It involves the provision of 210 additional prison spaces, a major programme of refurbishment of existing accommodation and the adoption, as far as practicable, of non-custodial measures which will have the effect of reserving prison spaces for offenders for whom no other option is feasible. I am satisfied that this strategy is an effective response to current needs and will go a long way towards solving current deficiencies in the prison system.
The 210 additional prison spaces are being provided in two new purpose built institutions — 150 for adult male offenders at Castlerea, County Roscommon and 60 for female offenders at Cowley Place, near Mountjoy Prison. Construction of these two prisons is expected to commence later this year and completion is expected early in 1997.
In addition, I am proceeding with a major programme for the refurbishment and upgrading of the existing older prison buildings. It is estimated that about £55 million will require to be expended on a wide range of improvement works in the period 1995 to 1999 inclusive. A total of £10 million has been provided for this work in the current year. Non-custodial measures include the extension of community sanctions and measures at the Court stage, as well as programmed and structured early releases under supervision as part of a positive sentence management strategy.
