New prison designed with view to expansion

THE tender documents reveal that the new prison intended to replace Mountjoy, at Thornton Hall in north Co Dublin, will house at least 1,200 inmates — men, women and juveniles — when it opens in 2010.

It will be designed to allow for easy extension should the need arise in the future.

According to the documents, those tendering for the new prison will design, build, finance and maintain the facility. The maintenance contract will run for up to 35 years.