Prison high-security unit lies idle

A MULTI-MILLION euro high security unit designed to house the country’s most difficult prisoners has been lying idle for more than two years.

The 40-bed unit at the New Midlands Prison is thought to have cost up to 10m and was constructed during what has been described as the “building binge” of recent years. The unit is part of the Midlands facility, built at a cost of €55m and opened in November, 2000. The unit is entirely separate from the main block and each of the 40 single bed purpose-built cells has fixed furniture.

Prison officers had lobbied for a high security facility when the Midlands prison was being built and are disappointed that it has never been used, particularly as prisoners who have caused trouble in other jails have been transferred to the main block at the facility.