Closure of State’s juvenile open prison a ‘shame’, say probation workers

THE closure of Ireland’s only open prison for juvenile offenders will make us the shame of Europe, probation workers said yesterday.

Brian Horgan of Impact the union representing probation staff said the closure of Shanganagh Prison means all 16 to 21-year-olds will now be locked up in secure prisons.

"It's appalling for a European country having all juvenile offenders in medium to high-security prisons, with no open facility," Mr Horgan said.