Future of St Patrick’s must be secured
Over the past decade, many millions have been spent providing in-cell sanitation throughout the institution, upgrading administration and visiting facilities, providing library and additional gym facilities a few areas where taxpayers' money has been spent with excellent results.
St Patrick's has a drug-free wing, containing roughly 70 inmates, which is internationally recognised as being an example of best practice in this regard.
The education unit provides the opportunity for young offenders to make up for their earlier lack of learning, and many have left the institution with Junior Certificates, which they would not have otherwise achieved.
And let us not forget the €9 million or €10 million spent building a unit to house juveniles&.
Is Mr McDowell seriously suggesting that these vast sums of taxpayers' money are now to be wasted merely to prove a point in his fight with the Prison Officers' Association?
Surely, even he wouldn't do that, would he?
Patrick Jordan
St Patrick's Institution
North Circular Road
Dublin 7
