Prisons Inspector - McDowell makes brave appointment

The appointment of Dermot Kinlen as the country’s first statutory Inspector of Prisons is a welcome development.

He had been a veritable thorn in the side of Justice Minister Michael McDowell, as they clashed repeatedly on the issue of prison reform.

A strong independent person is needed to adopt a humane approach and highlight awkward issues in relation to our prison system.

“The minister’s relationship with Mr Justice Kinlen may not be the best because of his very blunt and independent comments on the prison system,” Senator Brian Hayes of Fine Gael told the Seanad last November, “but there is a need for such independence of mind.”

An outspoken proponent of prison reform, Mr Kinlen has been particularly critical of our jails as “finishing school” for young people to develop criminal skills. He has also been a vocal critic of the closure of mental hospitals, because many prisoners belong in mental institutions rather than jail.

There are often questions about appointments made by ministers in the dying days of a government, but there is no question in this case of Mr McDowell appointing one of his friends. He should be warmly congratulated for his imaginative and brave appointment in what will hopefully be a very significant step in the modernisation of our prison system.