Alan Farrell (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 364: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the delivery of Thornton Hall prison; the proposed completion date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28438/11]

Alan Farrell (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 365: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the proposed number of inmates expected to be housed in Thornton Hall prison upon completion of the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28439/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 364 and 365 together.

Having considered the Report of the Thornton Hall Review Group, the Government has decided in principle to proceed with the construction of new prison facilities at Thornton Hall but on a smaller scale and design to that previously envisaged. The timeframe for this project is currently being discussed in the context of the Government's discussions on capital spending priorities for 2012.

Based on the Review Group's recommendations, the new prison at Thornton Hall will have 300 cells with operational flexibility capable of accommodating up to 500 prisoners. Appropriate regime activity and other supports will be provided to match the capacity of the prison. Each cell will have in-cell sanitation and a shower facility. It will also provide step-down accommodation capable of accommodating up to an 200 prisoners with relevant regime activity inside the boundary security wall. In effect, this will provide an open centre regime within the secure perimeter.

I believe the new plans for a prison at Thornton present an opportunity to effect real change in our prison system and implement the 'principle of progression' in the penal system through providing the physical infrastructure to facilitate delivery on the core values of normalisation, progression, and reintegration of offenders. These modern prison facilities will also enable the prison authorities to create incentivised regimes to enable prisoners to progress through the system in a way that helps them to prepare for their eventual reintegration into society.