Irish Penal Reform Trust

Roundup: Reactions to announcement of closure of St. Patrick's Institution

4th July 2013

On publication of the 2012 Annual Report of the Inspector of Prisons, along with his report entitled An Assessment of the Irish Prison System, on 3rd July 2013, the Minister for Justice announced that St Patrick's Institution is to be closed within 6 months.

IPRT responded to the announcement by calling on both the Irish Youth Justice Service and the Irish Prison Service to ensure that they are in a position to provide adequate and appropriate replacement accommodation for both 17-year-old boys and 18-21 year olds as a matter of urgency.

Moving 17-year-old boys to another prison for anything other than a very short period is not a solution; recent statements by the Ombudsman for Children of her concerns about the progress of the Oberstown project are worrying in this respect.

In relation to 18-21 year-olds, IPRT is concerned that Wheatfield Prison, which is currently overcrowded, does not have adequate education and training capacity for its inmates. IPRT believes that meeting the needs of young adult prisoners must be a key priority in the prison system.

Below is a roundup of press releases, media reactions and discussions following the announcement.

Press Releases:

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