Prison boss denies governor was undermined

PRISON boss Brian Purcell has hit back at claims from a prison governor her job had been made “completely impossible” by the Prison Service.

Kathleen McMahon handed in her resignation as governor of Dóchas women’s prison claiming there had been “serious undermining” of her position. Ms McMahon, who will leave on May 21 after ten years at Dóchas and 33 years in the service, complained of a lack of consultation and respect by Prison Service management.

In her letter to Mr Purcell she cited “dreadful” overcrowding through the introduction of bunk beds, which has seen up to 137 women crammed into a centre designed for 85. She said large numbers of women were so low a risk to the public they should never be jailed.