Superprison plans hit by economic climate

THE mounting overcrowding problem in Irish prisons looks set to continue following official indications that the planned superprison at Thornton Hall will be delayed well beyond 2011.

Justice Minister Dermot Ahern revealed that plans to sign the contract for the north Dublin prison complex had been put back due to the worsening financial climate.

Thornton Hall — which has the capacity to house a possible 2,200 inmates — was due to come on stream in 2011.