Prison chiefs consider amnesty on weapons

Prison bosses are considering the roll-out of weapons amnesties following the success of an amnesty in Dublin’s Wheatfield Prison.

The authorities — and an outside inspection body — are crediting the drop in violence in Wheatfield, particularly assaults involving weapons, to the amnesty there. The pardon was first introduced for a period in June 2012 and has been repeated periodically.

Figures show that in the period April-June 2012, prior to the amnesty, there were 30 assaults in Wheatfield, 29 involving the use of a weapon.