Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 March 2013
210. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he remains committed to introducing primary legislation for the purpose of closing St. Patrick’s Institution, Dublin, as a detention centre for offenders aged 21 and under, in view of the Inspector’s shocking report on the prison; and if so, what he plans to do with this group of prisoners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14622/13]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that as part of the Irish Prison Service 3-Year Strategic Plan 2012-2015 the Prison Service is devising a specific strategy for the management of young offenders, working with its partners and other agencies to ensure that the regime for young offenders is age appropriate and that best practise is observed.
Central to this strategy is a review the overall approach taken to the placement of 18-21 year olds throughout the system. In this regard, I can confirm that it remains my intention to introduce primary legislation for the purpose of closing St. Patrick's Institution as a detention centre for persons aged 21 and under.
