Parliamentary Question: Prisoner Release

27th March 2001

269. Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has any plans to set up step down support facilities for people coming out of prison; his views on the necessity for such a support system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8549/01]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue): I am interpreting the Deputy's question as referring to facilities and services available to offenders prior to and following their release from prison. Offenders, including life sentenced offenders, go through a process of preparation for release into the community and many remain under the supervision of my Department's probation and welfare service while serving the balance of their sentences on release. The service uses a variety of organisations in providing support and facilities for the long-term prisoner.

Projects in the local community assist in the resettlement of offenders released from custody in providing training programmes and job opportunities. Ongoing efforts are made to provide more projects, subject to acceptance by the local community. These projects are financially assisted by my Department through the probation and welfare service.
In addition, the Irish Prisons Service is planning to build half-way house type units at Cork and Limerick prisons for both men and women. It is hoped that these will become operational early in 2002. In the longer term, a similar unit is also planned for Mountjoy prison as part of the refurbishment of the Mountjoy complex. The Dóchas Centre - Mountjoy women's prison - already has a pre-release unit which accommodates up to seven prisoners who are generally nearing the end of medium to long-term sentences and are actively engaged in rehabilitative programmes such as education and work training. The national development plan will also, through prison work programmes such as the CONNECT project, make a significant contribution towards preparing offenders for employment and, in addition, the linkage programme in the community will advance the position of employment placement.