The details sought by Deputy Shatter on the temporary releases are as follows: Prisoner Kevin Walsh was granted three overnights to visit his sick father in November of this year; Pearse McAuley was granted three overnights to visit his sick father in October 2000 and January 2001 and three overnights in April 2001 to attend his father's funeral; Michael O'Neill was granted three overnights in October 2000 to visit his sick mother; and Jeremiah Sheehy was granted three overnights in December 2000 to visit his sick mother.
I reject the notion that the area in which these prisoners are being detained could be described as some kind of holiday camp. The part of Castlerea Prison in which they are detained comprises five detached houses, three two-storeys and two bungalows. The accommodation is quite basic and the area is surrounded by perimeter walls, covered by CCTV and supervised at all times by prison staff. In view of developments in the peace process, it is not inappropriate that these prisoners should not be detained in a maximum security setting. The selection process for transfer of prisoners to the compound takes particular account of their security requirements. It is important to note that 19 non-subversive prisoners are also located in the area of the prison in question, all of whom have access to the same type of facilities available in some of the other low security prisons.
The regime in this part of Castlerea Prison is similar to that which operates in some of the other low security institutions. Some of the descriptions of the accommodation give a misleading impression of luxury and tend to ignore the reality that inmates in the prison, like those elsewhere in the prison system, are behind prison walls in secure custody. Contrary to reports, these prisoners are not in a position to take some of the liberties referred to. A high level of trust is placed in each prisoner to conform to the rules of the unit in the absence of close supervision. While the regime is not very strict, there are rules and regulations which must be adhered to. When a person is locked up without the liberty to move about, that person is imprisoned.