Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 June 2013
452. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a prisoner (details supplied) in Castlereagh, County Roscommon, will be moved to a prison closer to their family in Dublin who have had a great deal of difficulty arranging for visits. [30238/13]
View answerI am informed by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service that no transfer request has been received from the person referred to. Applications submitted by prisoners to transfer to an alternate facility within the prison estate are considered taking a number of factors into consideration, including the recommendation of the Prison Governor. As a guiding principle, the Irish Prison Service attempts to place prisoners in the location nearest to their family home and should an application be received from the person in question, it will be considered taking into account appropriate security considerations, behaviour in custody, engagement with services and of course space being available.
