Mountjoy closure proposed in prisons bill

THE proposed closure of the oldest and largest prison in the country, Mountjoy, is highlighted in the new prisons bill which was published last evening.

Mandatory drug testing of prisoners and the provision of video links between jails and courts are also contained in the bill.

Other changes to the way detention centres operate will include the introduction of charges for prison escorts, in special circumstances, and the creation of a statutory office of Inspector of Prisons which will investigate complaints from prisoners who feel they have been treated unfairly.

The bill also provides for the exclusion of non-commercial work from the National Minimum Wage Act 2000.

This exclusion on non-commercial work allows for charges to be made to prisoners for goods or services that are not generally available to them including telephone calls, access to electronic devices, private medical treatment or escorts provided outside the prison for matters not related to their imprisonment.

Yesterday, Tánaiste and minister for justice Michael McDowell said the bill represented another important measure in modernising the prison system.

“It will facilitate the use of technology to ensure cost-effectiveness in the Irish Prison Service and assist in the process of the building of modern, humane prisons,” he said.

“The bill provides for video conferencing of certain court hearings; the placing of the Office of the Inspector of Prisons on a statutory footing; planning provisions for major prison developments and the possible closure of Mountjoy Prison,” he said.

The prisons bill originally published in 2005 had the primary aim of providing for the video conferencing of certain pre-trial court hearings; outsourcing of prisoner escort services; and the closure of Mountjoy.

Since publication of the 2005 bill, other prison-related matters had arisen for which the bill would be a suitable vehicle for legislative provision, the Tánaiste said.

He decided, given the range of amendments that would be required to address these issues, that withdrawal of the 2005 Bill and re-publication of this bill to include the additional issues would be the most straightforward solution.