Prisoners’ families ‘will suffer’

FAMILIES of prisoners will suffer as a result of the transfer of inmates from the Mountjoy complex to a new super prison in rural north Dublin, teachers and probation officers said yesterday.

Representative bodies for both professions also criticised the Government for a “total lack of consultation” at the move.

“It’s a further indication of the Government’s lack of concern for families, but it’s nothing new,” said Oliver Fallon, spokesman for the probation and welfare branch of Impact.

“They’ve already transferred large numbers of prisoners to Portlaoise and Castlerea from the Dublin area and are now sending more to the borders of Co Meath.”

The proposed prison is to be built on a 150-acre site at Killsallaghan, near Ashbourne, 10 miles from the city centre.

A high percentage of the inmates in the Mountjoy complex, located in the north inner city, are from the inner city and nearby areas.

Mr Fallon said the family unit was “an integral part” of any rehabilitation.

Cormac Behan of the Irish Prison Education Association said Mountjoy had been part of the inner-city community since 1850 and was accessible to families of prisoners.

“This relocation goes against international research which has shown that the maintenance of family relationships is one of the main factors in preventing re-offending behaviour among prisoners.

“The move to an inaccessible location will make it more difficult for loved ones to keep in touch with inmates.”

Mr Behan said neither the Department of Justice nor Education had consulted staff.

Mr Fallon said they were also concerned at the “total lack of consultation”, but said probation officers would go where they were sent.