Vol. 573 No. 5
179 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has satisfied himself with the present operating capacity of prisons; and his views on whether the existing prison capacity is sufficient to meet an increase in the prison population. [26033/03]
The provision, at considerable cost, of an extra 1,200 prison places in the past five years has largely addressed the issue of overcrowding that became a chronic problem for the prison system by the early 1990s. During the period 1992 to 1997 approximately one-fifth of the sentenced population were on temporary release. Most of these persons had been released to make space for others starting prison sentences. Even with the increase in capacity since then, some accommodation difficulties still occur occasionally in prisons, most notably in the women's prison at Mountjoy, the Dóchas Centre.
In the case of accommodation for adult male prisoners, pressures are largely addressed through the regular transfer of inmates to prisons outside Dublin, especially Castlerea Prison and the Midlands Prison. The issue is not totally one of matching the global prisoner population to a global figure for beds or cells. A number of factors must be taken into account including the prisoner's age, gender, the nature of the offence, location, security and whether they are on remand or sentenced.
An Agreed Programme for Government gives a commitment to continue the modernisation of prisons and to the provision of sufficient places to avoid serious overcrowding in the future.
180 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the provision which has been made for the expansion of prison capacity; his plans for the construction or acquisition of new detention facilities; and the date by which there will be a substantial increase in prison capacity. [26034/03]
The provision of an extra 1,200 prison places in the past five years has largely addressed the issue of overcrowding that was a chronic problem for the prison system. Work remains to be done on the prison facilities at Mountjoy, Portlaoise, and Cork prisons. With many prisoners being committed annually on long sentences, the prospect of increasing numbers of long stay prisoners will be an issue. It is not simply one of matching the global prisoner population to a global figure for beds or cells. A number of factors must be taken into account including the prisoner's age, gender, the nature of the offence, location, security and whether they are on remand or sentenced.
An Agreed Programme for Government gives a commitment to continue the modernisation of prisons and to the provision of sufficient places to avoid serious overcrowding and the reopening of the revolving door.
Early next year a new wing will provide Limerick Prison with 100 spaces. The Department of Finance has approved a tender for a new wing at Portlaoise Prison and is expected to issue in January 2004. This measure will replace the prison's C block which is in a poor state.
There are two options available for the replacement of outdated prisoner accommodation at Mountjoy Prison. The first option will redevelop the prison on the existing site, involving the demolition and reconstruction of existing buildings. The second option will relocate the prison to a greenfield site. Exploration of the economics and feasibility of these options is ongoing. It is not possible to say when a decision will be made on the options available. The possibility of acquiring suitable lands in the Dublin area and surrounding counties will have a major bearing in deciding on which option to pursue.
