The following is an estimate of the cost to the Irish Prison Service of telephone calls made by prisoners for the period January to December 2003, to the nearest €1,000 and excluding VAT. A significant proportion of these calls relate to contact with prisoners legal advisers as they prepare to face upcoming criminal trials.
The importance of prisoners maintaining contact with family and friends in the community must also be taken into account. Telephone facilities for prisoners have been consistently recommended by experts as a measure to assist in rehabilitation and prevent suicide and self-injury generally.
Prison
|
2003
|
|
€
|
Mountjoy Prison (Male)
|
65,000
|
Mountjoy Female Prison (Dóchas Centre)
|
12,000
|
St. Patrick’s Institution
|
29,000
|
Training Unit Place of Detention
|
12,000
|
Cloverhill Prison
|
102,000
|
Wheatfield Prison
|
102,000
|
Cork Prison
|
56,000
|
Limerick Prison
|
36,000
|
Fort Mitchell Place of Detention
|
17,000
|
Midlands Prison
|
123,000
|
Curragh Place of Detention
|
5,000
|
Portlaoise Prison
|
23,000
|
Castlerea Prison
|
16,000
|
Loughan House Place of Detention
|
6,000
|
Shelton Abbey Place of Detention
|
3,000
|
Arbour Hill Prison
|
3,000
|
Total Estimated Cost (ex. VAT)
|
610,000
|