Costello slams McDowell’s prison closure plans

The Labour Party has sharply criticised Justice Minister Michael McDowell’s plans to close two prisons and remove two others from the control of the Prison Service.

The minister announced the plans yesterday, saying they were designed to reduce the cost of overtime worked by prison officers. Talks on the overtime issue between the Prison Service and the Prison Officers Association broke down at the weekend without an agreement. Mr McDowell had threatened to close or privatise some prisons if the talks did not lead to a satisfactory resolution.

Responding to the proposed prison closures today, Labour Party spokesman Joe Costello said he believed they were designed to put pressure on the POA and had nothing to do with genuine prison reform.

He said the minister appeared to be drawing up his plans for the Prison Service "on the back of a beer mat" without proper consultation and debate.

Mr Costello also said the minister’s action would undermine the Prison Service and lead to an escalation in his dispute with the Prison Officers Association.

The POA has already accused the minister of being driven by an agenda of closures and privatisation and is due to meet later this week to discuss its response to his plans.