EU rulings could lead to privatising Irish prisons

EUROPEAN UNION recommendations could mean Ireland having to allow for some level of privatisation within the Prison Service, an expert said yesterday.

Researcher Stephen Nathan also said he suspected Irish officials have already had discussions with companies operating private prisons abroad.

Mr Nathan’s comments follow moves by Irish authorities to consider privatising certain prison services, such as prison escorts. The Government is also considering a public-private partnership to construct a new prison to replace Dublin’s Mountjoy Jail.