Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 1 Jun 2000

Vol. 520 No. 3

Written Answers. - Prison Service.

David Stanton

Question:

45 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of offenders under the age of 21 currently serving jail sentences; the length of the average sentence that will be served; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15410/00]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

There were 513 prisoners under the age of 21 years serving prison sentences on Friday, 26 May 2000. The following table outlines the institutions in which they were held:

Institution	Number of prisoners under 21 yrs
St Patrick's Institution	184
Training Unit	5
Portlaoise	8
Shanganagh Castle	38
Shelton Abbey	1
Fort Mitchel	63
Wheatfield	78
Loughan House	7
Mountjoy (m)	38
Mountjoy (f)	5
Cork	40
Limerick (m)	40
Limerick (f)	1
Castlerea	2
Cloverhill	3
Total	513

Statistics are not maintained in such a way as to enable the precise information sought by the Deputy to be readily available. At present the compilation and analysis of statistics must be done manually as there are no computerised systems in most prisons. This is an extremely time-consuming and staff intensive process and it has not been possible to release staff for this work.

A new £6 million information technology programme, authorised by me, for the Prison Service is well advanced. As part of the programme a comprehensive prisoner records database will be deployed across the Prison Service later this year. This programme will address the lack of accessible information about prisoners, provide management with necessary information and enable the automation of many existing functions. Information will be more easily accessible once this new system is in operation.