Overcrowded Cork jail ripe for inmate deaths, warn prison officers

THE horrific killing of a prisoner in Mountjoy could easily be repeated in Cork if the jail’s chronic overcrowding is not addressed, it was warned yesterday.

The brutal killing of Gary Douch in Mountjoy shocked the nation, but according to John Clinton, of the Prison Officers’ Association (POA), overcrowding in Cork jail is even worse. He said that on August 3, when they last did a head count, Mountjoy was 57 inmates over capacity, but in Cork there were 111 extra.

Cork Prison has capacity for 150 prisoners, but has 261, and the POA said new guidelines issued on behalf of the Government by Michael Mellet, to protect prisoners meant even more overcrowding would result in Cork jail if an alternative wasn’t found quickly.

“He (Mr Mellet) said that as an interim measure, where a prisoner seeks special protection because of a threat, he should be moved to a single occupancy cell. As an interim measure it’s a fine idea, but in reality how do you put it into practice without adding to the overcrowding problem in Cork?” Mr Clinton said.

He added that as an interim measure Justice Minsiter Michael McDowell, should immediately reopen Fort Mitchell prison, which is located on Spike Island in Cork Harbour.

When the minister decided to close Fort Mitchell in 2003 there were 102 prisoners incarcerated although it had a capacity for 120.

“The events at Mountjoy have shown the very narrow-minded view taken on prison closures,” Mr Clinton said.

Mr McDowell has signalled he intends to reopen Fort Mitchell and build a bridge over to the island. However, Mr Clinton said it could be at least 2010 before that facility is reopened and he is calling for it to be used on an interim basis at least.

“They could open Fort Mitchell in the early 1980s when there was a problem with joyriding, and I don’t see why they can’t do it now. Our members have no difficulty going back to Fort Mitchell,” the POA general secretary said.

He added the prisoners’ living and working conditions encountered by prison officers in Cork were unacceptable in this day and age.

“Prison officers have a difficult and demanding enough job to do without being faced with overcrowding as well,” Mr Clinton said.