Vol. 484 No. 4
116 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if there are any other units planned similar to the 40 place special unit in Portlaoise prison; the proposed staffing levels and cost of the units; the purpose of the units; if they are intended to be punitive in purpose; and the criteria, if any, governing admission to and removal from the units. [22486/97]
The proposed special unit in Portlaoise Prison is intended to house violent or disruptive offenders. It is designed to provide for the separation of such offenders from the general prison population, in the interests of the safety and welfare of other offenders and members of staff. The unit is not intended to be punitive. A small group consisting of staff of my Department, including prison governors, are working at present on the detailed regime to be operated in the unit. I await the groups report. It is not possible to say, at this stage, what the cost of developing the special unit will be because the tenders for the unit have not been received. The staffing levels necessary for the operation of the unit will be considered nearer completion date. It is not proposed to provide any other similar unit to the one being constructed in Portlaoise but a smaller segregation unit in Wheatfield Place of Detention is under consideration at present.
