Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)

Question 2: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the fact that on 21 November 2011 open prisons Loughan House, County Cavan and Shelton Abbey, County Wicklow, were both under capacity; the reason overcrowding persists in prisons such as Mountjoy, Dublin, due to the imprisonment of large numbers of persons for minor offences who could be placed in open prison arrangements, while open prisons are generally under-utilised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38142/11]

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