Special Olympian effort by inmates, prison officers

A HUGE amount of equipment needed for the visiting special Olympians has started rolling out of the state’s prisons as the final countdown to the tournament begins.

Inmates and officers in four prisons have been working for nearly two years to produce a range of equipment, from 75,000 opening ceremony flags to power-lifting platforms.

Organisers of the Special Olympics, which opens on June 21, yesterday praised the efforts of all involved, describing it as a huge job done by

inmates and prison officers.

The prisons involved in the project were Midlands, Wheatfield, Arbour Hill and Mountjoy.

In addition, prison officers are sponsoring the New Zealand team after raising 100,000.

At Mountjoy, prisoners in the woodwork and fabric shops have helped make 75,000 bright red flags as well as presentation cushions and delegation boards for each of the countries.

In the Midlands, competition platforms for the powerlifters have been built, while staff bought a set of weights for competitors.

Physical training instructors from the prison will be supervising powerlifting training.

A whole set of equestrian equipment, including gates and poles, were built by the inmates and staff at Wheatfield prison, while Arbour Hill produced individual and team podiums.

The Irish Prison Service said there were significant benefits arising from the initiative.

Many essential requirements of the Special Olympics were being made, while valuable work and training was provided for the inmates, a spokesperson said.