Irish Justice Minister confirms St. Patrick's young offenders institution to close

On 3 July, the Inspector of Prisons, Judge Michael Reilly, launched the 2012 Annual Report of the Inspector of Prisons and An Assessment of the Irish Prison System. These reports, which recommended the closure of St. Patrick’s Institution, were presented to the Minister for Justice, Alan Shatter. He accepted the recommendation and confirmed that the detention centre for young offenders would be closed within six months.

Bulletin readers may recall an earlier report issued by the Inspector about an inspection at St. Patrick's. The October 2012 report raised serious concerns about the institution's culture and found that some of the detainees' rights were either being ignored or violated. In the Annual Report the Inspector called for the facility's closure. Following a March 2013 inspection, he found that the facility was non-compliant with best practice guidelines and there were breaches of prisoners' fundamental rights. 

Minister for Justice Alan Shatter said, "In line with the recommendation of the Inspector of Prisons and in order to effect the changes necessary in regime and culture and to ensure the safe and secure custody, I am satisfied that the complete closure of St. Patrick’s and the dispersal of all prisoners and staff is now required.  Pending the development of new facilities in Oberstown in mid-2014, for which the Minister for Children & Youth Affairs has responsibility, this will in the interim involve the transfer of all 17 year olds currently serving a sentence in St. Patrick’s Institution to a dedicated Unit in Wheatfield Prison and the transfer of the 18 to 20 year old population to Wheatfield also. Arrangements will also be put in place for the transfer of prison staff to other institutions. With the full co-operation and support of everyone involved, it is anticipated that this can be achieved within 6 months. A dedicated Project Board has been established by the Irish Prison Service to oversee this transition."

The Inspector of Prisons has recommended that this timeline be brought forward. Liam Herrick, Executive Director of the Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT), expressed concern at the transfer of these young people to Wheatfield Prison given that it “is currently overcrowded, [and] does not have adequate education and training capacity for its inmates”. Click here to read the IPRT press release.

In the Annual Report, the Inspector did welcome the Irish Prison Service Three Year Strategic Plan 2012-2015 and the commitment to facilities upgrades. However, he noted a number of areas of concern including: the existing culture of abuse in certain prisons, overcrowding, slopping out, health issues and prisoner complaints. Click here to read a press release from the Department of Justice and Equality.

Click here to read an article from RTÉ News about St Patrick's closure. 

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