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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 20 Apr 1989

Vol. 388 No. 10

Written Answers. - Prison Conditions.

47.

asked the Minister for Justice if he has any proposals to deal with the gross overcrowding in our prisons; if he intends implementing the recommendations contained in the Report of the Committee of Inquiry into the Penal System, 1985, which include, among other things, the establishment of a prison board serviced by a director of the Prison Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

As regards prison accommodation, provision has been made to enable the new place of detention at Wheatfield to be brought into use for 160 offenders this year. In addition, provision has been made for a further 50 offenders at recently completed accommodation at Fort Mitchel. About 30 additional offenders have been transferred to Fort Mitchel in recent weeks and the remaining 20 places will be occupied on a phased basis over the next two to three weeks.

In relation to recommendations of the Committee of Inquiry into the Penal System, I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 60 of 12 April 1989. The recommendation by the Committee of Inquiry into the Penal System that a prisons board should be established gives rise to a number of issues which I have had to consider and I am not as yet satisfied that the balance of the public interest lies with the establishment of such a body. However, consideration of these issues will continue and any proposals which may emerge will be announced in the usual way.

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