Give McDowell credit for prison reform

UNTIL a few years ago one could argue that Ireland was facing into the 21st century with a 19th century prison system.

However, you cannot modernise, restructure and transform a prison system overnight and Justice Minister Michael McDowell deserves huge credit for the radical reforms he has introduced so far. It is churlish of critics not to give him credit for this.

Mr McDowell has dealt with the crippling effect of prison officer overtime, which was draining resources away from the primary function of a penal code. One of the minister’s earliest announcements was to call for an end to padded cells. His announcement of the closure of Mountjoy jail and the building of a modern prison at Thornton Hall will enable the prison service to enter the 21st century.