Ivana Bacik
Question:196. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice if there are plans to change the purpose of the progression unit at Mountjoy Prison; and, if so, where the progression unit will be located. [19661/24]
View answerWednesday, 1 May 2024
Questions (196)
Written answers
The Deputy will appreciate that the Irish Prison Service must make the best use of all available prison capacity, particularly at this time when severe overcrowding is being experienced.
Sex offenders, both sentenced and remand, were previously accommodated at 4 locations – Midlands Prison, Arbour Hill Prison, Castlerea Prison and Mountjoy Training Unit. However, due to limitations at these locations and rising sex offender committals to prison, it was decided to consider other options within the prison estate to accommodate this cohort of prisoner.
The Progression Unit of Mountjoy Prison is self-sufficient in relation to recreation, education, work and training and there is no requirement for prisoners living in this Unit to interact or traverse to the main prison. For this reason, it was decided that the Progression Unit is a suitable location to accommodate sex offenders.
The process of accommodating sex offenders in the Progression Unit commenced during March 2024. On 29 April 2024, there were 36 sex offenders accommodated in the Progression Unit and it is expected that further movements of this cohort of offender to the Progression Unit will take place in the coming months.
Those who are currently accommodated in the Progression Unit, who are not serving their sentences for sex offences will be moved to alternative suitable accommodation within the prison estate.
Finally, I can advise the Deputy that people in custody are encouraged to avail of the services in their prison. The Incentivised Regime Policy is a national policy available in all prisons which strives to provide tangible incentives to participate in structured activities and to reinforce good behaviour, leading to a safer and more secure environment.