Prison chief admits overcrowding is a problem

PRISON boss Brian Purcell yesterday admitted overcrowding was a problem and that the growth of crime gangs in society was reflected in prisons.

Mr Purcell said there was no evidence yet of criminals grooming recruits for the Prison Service but said they were keeping “a close eye” on it with gardaí.

The Prison Service director general was responding to reports from the Prison Officers’ Association (POA) at their annual conference in Castlerea.

Mr Purcell took the opportunity to criticise POA president Jim Mitchell, who had issued a scathing attack on Justice Minister Dermot Ahern for failing to attend their conference.

The director general admitted the Prison Service was facing a growing overcrowding problem.

“Overcrowding is a problem. It’s becoming increasingly clear over the last 12 months when we’ve seen an 8% rise in numbers in custody that this is an ongoing issue for us,” he said.

Mr Purcell said contributing factors included increased garda activity and more judges. But he said to suggest that nothing was being done, as claimed by the POA, was incorrect.

“Over the last 11 or 12 years, we have 1,400 new prison spaces. Over the next three or four months, in excess of 400 more spaces are coming on stream.”

Mr Purcell said Thornton Hall, to replace the Mountjoy complex, had been delayed. “But it is my belief that the Thornton project will go ahead having being delayed. That is the solution in the long term,” he said.

In relation to the planned prison at Kilworth in Co Cork, to replace Cork Prison, he said the intention was always to wait until they had at least started construction on Thornton.

Mr Purcell said unused cells in Portlaoise were used for other purposes, such as workshops and laundries.

He slammed attacks by Mr Mitchell over the failure of Mr Ahern to attend the conference. He said the minister had to be in the Dáil to introduce the Surveillance Bill.

“I was somewhat surprised to see the president of the POA describe the Surveillance Bill as “supposedly urgent’ Dáil business. The minister sees the bill as a critical weapon in the armoury of the guards.”

He described Mr Mitchell’s comments as a “cheap shot” and said he failed to mention that the minister had written to him saying he was available to meet them afterwards.