Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 24 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 5

Written Answers. - Prisoner Transfers.

Michael Ring

Question:

448 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason a settled traveller is being discriminated against by making him serve his prison sentence in Fort Mitchel, Spike Island, in view of the fact his mother is unable to visit him; and if this person could be transferred to Caslterea, Loughan House or to any prison facility closer to Mayo in order that his family can visit. [23284/00]

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

Where possible, prisoners are accommodated at locations most convenient to their homes. Naturally there are limitations to the extent to which this can be achieved. Some prisoners may not be suitable for a particular institution because of their age, security status or suitability to the regime.

Most institutions run at full capacity with the result that there are limited opportunities for transfers. In that event transfers generally take place on a "swap" basis. This can mean that although a transfer is approved there can be delays before it is effected.

The person concerned was committed to St. Patrick's Institution on 24 May 2000 and was transferred to Fort Mitchel on 16 August 2000 for operational reasons. Transfers for operational purposes may be necessary for a variety of reasons, including the need to protect a prisoner from other prisoners, to prevent planned disruption, to separate groups of prisoners who are in conflict, or simply to reallocate cell space to another prisoner or group of prisoners.

The person concerned has applied for a transfer to either Loughan House or Castlerea Prison. While I have given this case every consideration, I am not prepared to authorise his transfer to Loughan House at this stage of his sentence.

I have, however, authorised a transfer to Castlerea Prison and he has been placed on a waiting list. The population in Castlerea is very static with few vacancies. It may therefore be some time before this move takes place. I understand that the person concerned is currently number seven on a waiting list of nine to transfer from Fort Mitchel to Castlerea.