Minister to bring plan for hundreds of new prison spaces to cabinet

The construction of almost a thousand new prison spaces is being fast-tracked by the government.The Justice Minister is presenting the plan to Cabinet today, as the overcrowding crisis in jails worsens.Jim O'Callaghan will inform ministers that the Irish Prison Service can deliver 150 additional spaces at Castlerea, 180 at the Midlands Prison and 150 at Mountjoy — all 12 months ahead of schedule. The latest stats from the Irish Prison Service show there are currently 5 thousand 412 prisoners, but just 4 thousand 665 bed spaces.Deputy General Secretary of the Prison Officers’ Association and Dromahair native, Gabriel Keaveny says while the move is welcomed, short-term solutions are needed for an already-stretched service.