Ivor Callely
Ceist:127 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice the number of prisoners currently detained in Shelton Abbey; the number of prisoners who avail of special concessions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5525/97]
Written Answers. - Shelton Abbey.
Ivor Callely
Ceist:128 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice the average length of detention in Shelton Abbey; the longest detention to date in Shelton Abbey; if she has satisfied herself with the operation of Shelton Abbey; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5526/97]
Ivor Callely
Ceist:129 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice if requests for special arrangements for prisoners in Shelton Abbey are in place; if so, the type of arrangements in place in November 1996, December 1996 and January 1997; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5527/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 127, 128 and 129 together.
On 25 February 1997 there were a total of 43 prisoners in custody in Shelton Abbey which has a maximum capacity of 56.
Records are not maintained in such a manner as to facilitate the provision of the information requested, the average length of detention in the institution. One offender has been there for a great many years. The normal profile of an offender in Shelton Abbey would be one who is coming near the end of a sentence whose stay could be less than one year, people in custody for non-violent offences and older offenders, and stays can range from three months to a number of years.
Shelton Abbey was acquired by my Department and adapted to hold long-term prisoners moving towards the end of their sentences. Over the past six years or so the population mix there has changed to include many short-term prisoners from the Wicklow-Wexford-South Dublin area. These prisoners and their families have undoubtedly benefited by the use of the excellent education and rehabilitation facilities available at this location and I make no apology for the fact that this population mix has been maintained in my time in office as Minister for Justice.
Shelton Abbey is one of three open centres in our prison system and, as such, plays a vital role in the management of offenders sentenced to imprisonment or detention in this jurisdiction. Open centres are a feature of penal systems in most similar jurisdictions world-wide where sentence management systems are in operation. They provide an appropriate type and level of accommodation for a range of offenders at a significantly reduced level of security and, I should say, cost. As open centres are usually located in the countryside they also provide substantial direct and indirect local employment.
The regime in place at Shelton Abbey provides for considerable flexibility in the management of the inmates who can avail of indoor and outdoor recreational facilities. The majority of inmates qualify for concessions including temporary release on a regular basis and increased remission. Apart from the above there are no special arrangements for prisoners in place at Shelton Abbey either now or during December 1996 or January 1997. It is not clear what special arrangements the Deputy has in mind. If he could be more specific I would be happy to consider his question.
I am satisfied with the operation and management of Shelton Abbey and successive prison visiting committees there have confirmed this view.