Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the refurbishment that is proposed for Harristown House, Castlerea, County Roscommon, under the prison implementation plan 2012-2015; his plans to house prisoners with life sentences for murder there; the supervision that will be provided in this open prison, outside the prison walls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9397/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Harristown House is a 22 roomed two storey property constructed circa 1920 which is located just outside of the boundary wall of Castlerea Prison. It was most recently used for accommodating persons who were under the care of the Probation Service. The property has been in disuse for the past four years and it suffered significant water damage as a result of burst pipes in the Winter of 2010/2011. Following a competitive tender process completed in the latter part of 2012, the Irish Prison Service appointed a contractor to undertake a complete refurbishment of Harristown House. The objective of the works is to leave the property in a suitable condition for use as a low security pre-release facility for selected prisoners. Works commenced in November 2012 and are due to complete in early March 2013.

Prisoners housed there will be those who have demonstrated good behaviour over a period of time, have engaged with the therapeutic services in the prison and are deemed to be a low risk of absconding and a low risk of re-offending. It is intended that the prisoners housed at Harristown House will be taking part in a Temporary Release Programme. It is expected that five to six prisoners will initially be involved and eventually up to 15 prisoners. Those involved will be employed in the grounds under the control of an Industrial Manager. They will be obliged to abide by all the normal terms of temporary release as well as reporting daily to the Main Gate at Castlerea Prison. CCTV coverage of the house and surrounding areas will be monitored from the control room. They will also be visited during the day by prison staff. Harristown House will be secured by a fence and there will be strict conditions on access and egress at night. All transfers will be dealt with on a case by case basis.