Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is my intention to introduce legislation, which is also referenced in the programme for Government, under which the visiting committee reports will be submitted directly to the Inspector of Prisons, and if members of visiting committees have concerns about any institution they visit during a year they will have direct contact with the Inspector of Prisons. Under the new legislation, it will be the inspector who publishes the visiting committee reports and engages in any follow-up that may be necessary.

A review group is currently reviewing prison policy issues. As the Deputy will be aware, the construction of a new wing of the Midlands Prison is being completed and there are plans to build a new prison in Cork. When the new wing of the Midlands Prison is open and the new facility is constructed in Oberstown, I intend to take steps to bring about further reform in respect of the 18 to 21 year olds at St. Patrick's Institution, how they are dealt with and where they will be located. There is an issue as to whether we should be locating all 18 to 21 year olds in one facility. I have concerns about the need for additional facilities for young people who are in prison in order that we do the maximum possible to encourage them to desist from reoffending when released from prison.

We have made enormous strides in the past 18 months in this area. It is very much a work in progress. Issues have been neglected for many years and they cannot all be addressed in 18 to 20 months, but we are making enormous progress. I believe that by the time the Government has completed its term we will have an entirely different prison policy and a different approach to dealing with young people who have to serve sentences.

See this speech in context