Penal Reform Trust criticises planned ‘super-prison’

The Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) has criticised the Government’s plans to build a new “super-prison” to replace Mountjoy Jail in Dublin, describing them as “ill-conceived”.

Reports this morning said six 100-acre sites had been shortlisted as possible locations for the new prison.

The IPRT has called on Justice Minister Michael McDowell to explain why Ireland needs more prison capacity when it has one of the lowest rates of crime in western Europe.

The trust’s executive director Rick Lines has also criticised the minister’s failure to properly consult others about his plans.

“Interested parties, whether they be non-governmental organisations, solicitors, families, community/voluntary organisations, community drug programmes, probation and welfare services; all have valuable input in discussing criminal justice reform and prison reform,” he said.

“We think it’s really scandalous that this type of reform, programmed by the minister, could go ahead in the absence of any broad consultation.”