asked the Minister for Justice if he will restore the shop facility to prisoners in Portlaoise, as its suspension is causing considerable hardship to the general body of prisoners who cannot purchase essential items such as soap, blades and cigarettes and in view of the fact that prisoners feel it is unfair that they should all be victimised because of the recent escape attempt.
Written Answers - Portlaoise Prison Shop Facilities.
44.
Limerick East): Tuck shop facilities were among the facilities withdrawn from prisoners in Portlaoise Prison in the aftermath of the attempted escape from the prison on 24 November last. Facilities are being restored to prisoners gradually as the authorities eliminate the possible abuses of those facilities in smuggling the contraband used in the escape attempt into the prison. On this basis shop facilities were restored on 12 December.