Vol. 472 No. 3
223 Mrs. O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice if she will review the case of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath who seeks a transfer from Mountjoy Prison to Castlerea Prison, based on social and family needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23282/96]
Applications by individual prisoners for transfers to particular prisons and places of detention are considered having regard to a number of factors. These include matters such as security and the stability of the regime for the prisoner in question. The age of a prisoner would also be a relevant factor in some cases. Where possible, prisoners are accommodated at locations most convenient to their homes but for the reasons outlined above this is not always possible.
The selection of prisoners for Castlerea unit `A' is now under way. While the prisoner to whom the Deputy refers will be given every consideration, I cannot at this stage indicate whether his application will be successful.
