asked the Minister for Justice the average number of inmates in St. Patrick's Institution for each month in 1978.
Written Answers. - Prisons and Institutions.
224.
The average number of inmates in St. Patrick's Institution during each month in 1978 was as follows: January, 198; February, 193; March, 205; April, 200; May, 202; June, 207; July, 210; August, 206; September, 204; October, 206; November, 186; December, 210.
225.
asked the Minister for Justice the number of boys sentenced or remanded to St. Patrick's Institution, Dublin, and to Cork, Portlaoise, Mountjoy and Limerick prisons, under the age of 17 in 1978; and in respect of Mountjoy and Limerick, the number of girls sentenced and remanded in both cases.
The number of young male offenders under 17 years of age sentenced or remanded to Mountjoy prison, Limerick prison and St. Patrick's Institution in 1978 were 44, 27 and 216 respectively. Of these, one was transferred to Cork prison. No young offender in this age group was transferred to Portlaoise prison during the year.
Ten young female offenders under 17 years of age were sentenced or remanded to Mountjoy female prison during the year. One female in this age group was committed under sentence to Limerick female prison.
226.
asked the Minister for Justice the number of custodial personnel recruited for Loughan House, County Cavan and the total numbers it is planned to recruit.
The total number of Department of Justice staff employed in Loughan House is 82 as follows: director, 1; assistant director, 1; care supervisory staff, 6; care staff, 51; clerical staff, 3; trades staff, 3; farm staff, 2; nurses, 4; welfare officers, 2; chaplain, 1; domestic staff, 8.
In addition there are eight teachers employed there by Cavan Vocational Education Committee.
It is not possible, at this stage, to say how many additional staff, if any, may be assigned to Loughan House.
227.
asked the Minister for Justice the number of inmates in Loughan House, County Cavan.
There are, at present, 17 boys in Loughan House.
228.
asked the Minister for Justice the total number of persons who were in custody in each of the prisons or similar institutions under his control on 25 December 1978.
The actual numbers in custody on 25 December, 1978 were as follows:
|
Mountjoy, men |
368 |
||
|
Mountjoy, women |
8 |
||
|
Limerick, men |
73 |
||
|
Limerick, women |
5 |
||
|
Cork |
35 |
||
|
Arbour Hill |
51 |
||
|
Portlaoise |
177 |
||
|
Glengarriff Training Unit |
14 |
||
|
Shelton Abbey |
4 |
||
|
St. Patricks |
160 |
||
|
Shanganagh Castle |
Nil |
||
|
Men |
882 |
||
|
Women |
13 |
||
|
Total |
895 |
229.
asked the Minister for Justice if prison officers have been transferred from any existing penal institutions to staff the new institution at Loughan House, County Cavan; the number of persons so transferred; the proportion of the total staff at the institution accounted for by persons so transferred; the names of the institutions from which such persons were transferred; and the number of such persons transferred from each such institution.
The transfer of prison officers from one institution to another is a routine matter about which it is not normal practice to give details. Although Loughan House is different from any of the other institutions under the control of my Department I propose to follow the same practice in regard to it as I am satisfied that there has been ample publicity already in relation to the arrangements made for its staffing and operation.
I am sustained in that decision by the campaign that has been pursued by a small but vociferous group against Loughan House and by the necessity to avoid as far as possible giving any encouragement to this group in its endeavours to undermine the morale of the staff at Loughan. The staff at Loughan House are doing a good job in caring for these unfortunate boys who, mostly for the first time in their lives are receiving care, education and attention in a disciplined and homely atmosphere.
230.
asked the Minister for Justice why the parents of children confined in Loughan House, County Cavan, are given only one travel voucher a month whereas adult prisoners in ordinary prisons are entitled to weekly visits.
Travelling expenses are not paid to the parents of persons in prison. Visits to Loughan House are not restricted to one a week per boy but, as in the case of the other special schools, travelling expenses are paid in respect of one visit a month.
231.
asked the Minister for Justice if he will arrange escorted transport from Loughan House, County Cavan, to their home town, for children confined there who are allowed bail pending the hearings of a case or an appeal, in order to save parents of such children unnecessary trouble and expense.
If, in any particular case, it appeared to be necessary for a boy to be escorted home, that would be arranged. It is thought, however, that, for the most part, such arrangements would not be necessary. The cost of sending the boy home would, of course, be paid from public funds.