Parliamentary Question: Detention Centres

14th October 2004

169. Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the serious concerns which have been expressed concerning the current position in an institution (details supplied)

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell): 

I am not aware of serious concerns in regard to the provision of education, welfare or care facilities for young persons committed to the institution referred to in the question. I am informed by the director general of the Irish Prison Service that the school at this institution is fully operational at present with an inmate participation rate of almost 50%. The main gymnasium is fully operational and a second small gym facility located in one of the wings of the institution operates for most of its scheduled hours and is closed only when the staff have to be assigned to other more pressing duties.

Welfare services are currently provided by a team comprising one senior probation and welfare officer and three probation and welfare officers - a resource level which is above average for institutions managed by the Irish Prison Service. The two small workshops, woodwork and metalwork, at this institution are closed at present because of continuing restrictions on prison officer overtime and because of health and safety considerations. However, it is planned to re-open these facilities in the coming months when they have been renovated to provide computer classes and training in painting and decorating.

This institution is a closed place of detention for young persons, male, aged between 16 and 21 years of age. As of yesterday, there were 192 young persons in custody there, of whom 60 were aged 16 or 17 years of age. There is no provision at present for segregation on grounds of age at this institution but, resources permitting, it is planned to bring a mixture of new and renovated accommodation into use there in the near future which will allow for a total of 44 sixteen and 17 year olds to be accommodated separately.