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Prison Education Service

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 May 2015

Tuesday, 26 May 2015

Ceisteanna (525)

Ciaran Lynch

Ceist:

525. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of hours the library in each prison is scheduled to open each week; the percentage of scheduled opening times these libraries were actually open during 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20660/15]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that the number of hours the library in each prison is scheduled to be open, and the percentage of hours they are open, is set out in the following table. The libraries for Arbour Hill, Dóchas, Mountjoy, Wheatfield East Wing and the Training Unit are open as the demand requires.

Scheduled Opening Hours (per week)

% hours open January - December 2014

Arbour Hill

On demand

As required

Castlerea

28.75

100

Cloverhill

35.5

34

Cork

31.5

64

Dóchas

On demand

As required

Limerick

21.25

85

Loughan House

6

95

Midlands

21

96

Mountjoy

On demand

As required

Portlaoise C Block

49

93

Portlaoise E Block

49

93

Shelton Abbey

11

99

St Patrick's Institution/Mountjoy West

Library reopened in August 2014 and is scheduled to open for 14 hrs per week

100

Training Unit

On demand

As required

Wheatfield East Wing

On demand

As required

Wheatfield

16

68

Libraries in prisons are regarded by prison management as key elements in the process of normalisation and rehabilitation for prisoners. Library services in prisons are mainly provided by Local Authority library personnel deployed to prisons. In some cases, libraries are managed by prison officers or prisoners, with professional librarian oversight. While it is the case that a shortfall in staffing numbers on a particular day can impact negatively on service provision, the Irish Prison Service is actively pursuing the option of having all libraries in prisons managed by long-term, suitably trained prisoners, with professional oversight in order to maximise the service. Prisoners have been trained up and are active in supporting library services in Arbour Hill, the Midlands Prison, Training Unit, Castlerea Prison, Limerick, Portlaoise, Mountjoy, Wheatfield and the Dóchas Centre. In Cork, Shelton Abbey and Loughan House prisoners assist in the running of the libraries.

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