Parliamentary Question: Prison Inspector Reports

6th April 2004

365. Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will make a statement on the reports of the prison inspectorate with respect to Fort Mitchel, Wheatfield and Loughan House. [10896/04]

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

I understand that the Inspector of Prisons and Places of Detention is currently preparing his second annual report. The report will be submitted to me and published in due course by my Department.

The Inspector of Prisons and Places of Detention has carried out a number of inspections since his first annual report was published last year. His reports of inspections at the places of detention at Fort Mitchel and Loughan House and at Wheatfield Prison were recently published on my Department's website-www.justice.ie. The inspector made a number of recommendations in these reports aimed at improving services and conditions in the relevant institutions. Some of the recommendations have been implemented and others will be implemented as resources permit.

The Deputy will be aware that Fort Mitchel Place of Detention closed on 10 February 2004 due to the failure to reach agreement with the Prison Officers Association on a change agenda aimed at eliminating overtime payments and reducing other costs in the Irish Prison Service. Fort Mitchel will resume its role as a closed detention centre in the event that agreement is reached with the Prison Officers Association. Implementation of longer-term recommendations made by the Inspector of Prisons and Places of Detention will be considered in the context of the reopening of Fort Mitchel.