Eamon Gilmore
Question:9 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will make a statement on the plans for the redevelopment of Mountjoy Prison. [10992/01]
Other Questions. - Prison Accommodation.
Mountjoy Prison, like almost all of our older prison stock, is long overdue major refurbishment. Many parts of the prison are largely unchanged since the 1850s. The absence of in-cell sanitation throughout large sections of the prison is a particular concern in this regard. I have been in a position to ensure the commencement of refurbishment programmes in some of our other older prisons such as Limerick and Cork. However, Mountjoy due to its location and the fact that the site accommodates four separate institutions is unique. Any major development there must be properly planned on an integrated basis with the overall needs of the Prison Service and the Criminal Justice system in mind. It is also a fact that much of the development of the site over the last 20 to 30 years or so has been carried out on an ad hoc basis, often in response to short-term requirements and difficulties such as vast overcrowding due to lack of investment in prison spaces by successive Governments.
In late 1999 therefore, I approved the establishment of the Mountjoy complex redevelopment group as a consultative body to plan the development of the complex and custodial regimes in the redeveloped prison. The group consists of a multi-disciplinary team of officials from areas that deal with the complex and its prisoners. The terms of reference of the group included a commitment to develop a complete description of the treatment and custodial regimes that will be required for the target population to be detained in Mountjoy Prison, identify the strengths, assets and potential of Mountjoy Prison and the Mountjoy Prison complex within the whole prison and probation system and also the wider community and outline a plan for achieving an optimum regime and prepare an outline description with drawings of a building that would meet the requirements which have been identified
I have since received two reports from the group both of which I have published. The group's second report was published, with my approval, last month. It contains a number of specific proposals and recommendations for the future development and use of the Mountjoy complex which currently comprises Mountjoy Prison, the training unit, St. Patrick's institution and the female prison.
The proposed new development will accommodate up to 723 prisoners – excluding the female prison – committed from the courts in the Leinster area in house units rather than in the traditional cell blocks. The complex will contain separ ate induction and pre-release facilities as well as adjoining "halfway house" accommodation for pre-release and newly released offenders. Overall, the complex will assume a pivotal role in drug treatment service provision in the prison system. A full range of services including chaplaincy, welfare, education and vocational training for prisoners will also be provided on an integrated basis within the complex.
Architecturally what is proposed is not dissimilar to the new female prison, which was opened in 1999. Overall, the design of the buildings will maximise the potential afforded by open space and light with an emphasis on reducing the institutional effect while still maintaining security. T he most historic architectural features at the prison, including the central block and the landmark twin granite chimney towers, would be retained under this plan.
Since publication of the latest group report, I have asked the Prison Service to expand their review and planning activity to address the major overflow problem emerging at the Dóchas Centre, Mountjoy. Committals of women to prison from the courts have exceeded all expectation over the past few months. We have found that despite doubling the number of spaces for women prisoners, committals on remand especially have surged beyond any past experience. Whatever the cause, and many factors are at play here, we must and will make adequate provision for this group in the shorter term.
An estimate of the capital cost of construction and of the operation of the proposed development is being prepared at present and when this is available and having considered various views expressed on the proposal, I intend to bring the matter to Government for approval to proceed with the first phase of the development.
I wish also to take this opportunity to confirm my intention to engage in consultations with all interested parties including the staff and residents in the area who may be affected by the development over the coming years.
Could the Minister give his views on the report of the Prison Officers' Association on the new women's prison. This states that the new prison is plagued by overcrowding and a serious drug problem. Staff shortages are allowing a drug culture to continue unchecked and the continued use of this centre as a female remand centre is causing what they describe as a disastrous consequential effect.
As the most modern female prison in the western world, the Dóchas Centre attracts hundreds of visitors annually. Prison experts and criminologists regard it as a model of its kind and it is the focus of a number of PhD studies by graduate students. The feedback from these researchers has been overwhelmingly positive. The development represents a quantum leap in terms of working conditions for staff and living conditions for prisoners.
Is the Minister going to answer the question now?
While it is recognised that there is still a drug problem there, as the Deputy mentioned, every effort has been made to tackle the issue of drug abuse among the prison population. The majority of female prisoners are there as a result of their extreme drug dependency. Unfortunately many will continue with this abuse while in custody. However, I am committed to tackling the drug problem in the prison system. The action plan on drug misuse and drug treatment in the prison system, which I approved in 1999, provides a detailed strategy to raise the level of treatment for drug abusers.
Will the Minister ensure that the new Dóchas Centre is drugs free? What are his plans to ensure that the new facilities provided on a less than maximum security basis for the further development of the Mountjoy complex remain drugs free? Will female remand prisoners continue to be housed in Dóchas?
It is intended to try to find additional accommodation for prisoners who at present are in the Dóchas Centre and are the cause of overcrowding. Of late, there has been an increase in the numbers of women on remand. This is regrettable. I intend to provide alternative accommodation and I expect to have that in place soon. While the new prison is a model of its kind, unfortunately it is not large enough to contain the numbers of prisoners requiring accommodation. I increased the number of places during the planning stage, but this has not proven to be sufficient. Once we can relocate female juvenile prisoners and when we have new temporary accommodation for female prisoners, it will alleviate the problem.