Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 152: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which it is expected that sufficient prison spaces will be provided to meet prison accommodation requirements and achieve a reduction in cell multi-occupancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38236/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As the Deputy will be aware, there has been a consistent increase in the total prisoner population in Ireland over recent years. The problem of prison overcrowding therefore remains a challenging issue which unfortunately cannot be resolved overnight.

I share the view of the Thornton Hall Review Group that decisive action is required on a number of fronts in order to address the problem of overcrowding and poor physical conditions particularly in Mountjoy and Cork Prisons. Whilst the reduced capital envelope this year will not allow the Prison Service to proceed with the construction of Thornton Hall or Kilworth prisons, this does not signal a reversal of the Government's decision earlier this year to approve in principle the recommendations contained in the Thornton Hall Review Group Report. It has been necessary to defer the commencement of these projects but the Deputy can be assured that it is my strong intention to revisit the timeframe for their delivery in 12 months time.

Despite a reduction in the capital allocation available to the Prison Service in 2012, work will continue on the completion of a new 300 space prison wing in the Midlands Prison and it is expected that these spaces will be fully commissioned by mid 2012. I can also advise the Deputy that an administrative building on the Dóchas Centre site has been converted into a new accommodation block which will provide an additional 70 spaces. It is expected that this block will be ready for occupation in early 2012. The opening of the new spaces at the Dóchas Centre will assist in alleviating the overcrowding issue. It is expected that the new accommodation, which is dormitory style, will accommodate prisoners who are being held on remand and those serving short sentences.

I am also continuing to pursue alternatives to custody and progress is being made. The recently enacted Criminal Justice (Community Service) (Amendment) Act 2011 requires the sentencing judge to consider the imposition of community service where a custodial sentence of 12 months or less is being considered. A number of key recommendations contained in the Thornton Hall Review Group Report are also receiving priority attention in my Department and many are in the process of being implemented,most notably the introduction of an incentivised scheme for earned temporary release under which offenders who pose no threat to the community are offered early temporary release in return for supervised community service. In this regard, a six month pilot project commenced in October 2011 in which it is envisaged that a total of 130 prisoners will participate. To date, 39 prisoners have been released under the scheme with a further 18 due for release in the near future.

The Fines Act 2010 introduced measures to prevent the automatic imprisonment of fine defaulters. I intend to bring forward new legislative proposals to introduce a system of "attachment orders" allowing a small amount of money to be taken from wages or social welfare facilitating the payment of the debt or fine over time. The concept of restorative justice also has a place in the range of non-custodial options which are available for use by the courts. The Deputy can be assured that my focus is to encourage the use of such options to the greatest extent possible.