McDowell backtracks on prison inspectorate

JUSTICE MINISTER Michael McDowell has back tracked on his original plans regarding the establishment of the prison inspectorate.

The minister yesterday confirmed that, following recent legal advice, he no longer intended to set up the office under new prison rules which he published earlier this year.

He said he now intended to bring in an amendment to the Prisons Bill to set up the body and had received Cabinet approval to do so.