Prison releases 470 inmates prematurely

THERE was outrage yesterday after it emerged 470 inmates were released early from Cork Prison last year because of overcrowding.

The Prison Officers’ Association (POA) said the decision by Justice Minister Michael McDowell to close three prisons — including Spike Island in Cork — would mean the return of the “revolving door” in Irish jails.

Fine Gael Justice spokesman Jim O’Keeffe said the minister bore “huge personal responsibility” for the overcrowding problem.