Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2004
123 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the penal and rehabilitative structures he proposes to put in place in the short, medium and longer terms to replace the prisons he proposes to close down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9220/04]
View answerThe question of closure of prisons and places of detention arises mainly in the context of measures currently being implemented on a rolling basis to control costs in the absence of agreement with the Prison Officers' Association on a change agenda in the Irish Prisons Service.
In all, four institutions were scheduled for closure in this regard. The Curragh and Fort Mitchel places of detention closed with effect from 20 January 2004 and 10 February 2004, respectively. Prisoners from these places of detention have been transferred elsewhere — mainly the Midlands Prison in the case of prisoners from the Curragh place of detention and Cork and Limerick Prisons in the case of prisoners held at Fort Mitchel. I have made clear that I envisage the re-opening of these institutions in the event that agreement is reached with the Prison Officers' Association on a sustainable cost structure for the operation of prisons.
The two further scheduled closures in respect of the open centres at Loughan House and Shelton Abbey are being kept under continuing review in the light of progress in the talks with the Prison Officers' Association under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission. I have already indicated that in the event of these closures going ahead, the intention is to transform these two open centres into post release centres for the reintegration into society of prisoners on conditional temporary release. Neither of the two centres would be under the control of the Irish Prisons Service.
I have already signalled the Government's intention to close Mountjoy Prison and replace it with a modern prison on a new site. The development of this new complex presents the Irish Prisons Service with an excellent opportunity to create a facility which, in terms of custody, care and rehabilitation, would be a considerable advance on the penal and rehabilitation structures in the mainly Victorian facilities currently at Mountjoy Prison.
