No timeline for reopening of prison visitors centre as closure causing 'deep distress' for families

Labour leader Ivana Bacik criticised the closure of the visitors’ centre, describing it as a 'vital resource for families'.

The Government has yet to provide a timeline for the reopening of the Mountjoy Prison visitors centre, as Labour’s Ivana Bacik says temporary measures are leading to “deep distress” for families.

The standalone visitors’ centre has been shut on a temporary basis to facilitate the building of more accommodation in the Dóchas Centre.

“This development is a critical measure to address overcrowding pressures within the Dóchas Centre,” the Department of Justice has said.

The department added the permanent visitors centre would be “reinstated as soon as possible”, after the construction project has been completed.

The temporary visitors’ centre contains “lockers, toilet facilities and baby-changing amenities”.

Labour leader Ivana Bacik criticised the closure of the visitors’ centre, describing it as a “vital resource for families”.

“It is disappointing that there is no clear timeline for opening this important space. Supporting families to stay together when a relative goes to prison reduces isolation and can help to break the cycle of criminality and support rehabilitation,” Ms Bacik said.

“If the Government is serious about reducing offending in our communities, it needs to do the hard work to vindicate the rights of prisoners, and also to support their families.

“Their families are not serving a sentence for any crime, yet now that the space is closed. I have heard reports of people, usually women, with children and buggies being forced to queue for long periods to see a relative.”

Ms Bacik said the closure of the centre was causing “deep distress” for the families of prisoners.

“If the authorities insist that it is necessary to make visits harder for this vulnerable population, there must be a clear timeline for that interruption to come to an end,” Ms Bacik said.