Irish Prison Service considering potential for old Cork Prison site to be used for prisoner accommodation 

The justice minister has confirmed that the Irish Prison Service is considering the potential for the old Cork Prison site to be used for prisoner accommodation.

Helen McEntee confirmed to a Cork TD that the results of a review into the site are due by the end of this month.

As of yesterday morning, Cork Prison was operating at 110% capacity with 327 in custody in the building, which has a bed capacity of 296 — similar levels are seen around the country with 4,959 in custody and only 4,519 beds.

“The former Cork Prison facility ceased operations in 2016 and was replaced with a new modern prison located on a site adjacent,” Ms McEntee said. “Following the closure, the old prison was largely decommissioned over the following 12 months, with most systems being retired or terminated and all operations transferring to the new prison.”

However, she added: “The site of the former prison remains of strategic interest to the Irish Prison Service. The service commissioned a feasibility study on the condition of the buildings in the old Cork Prison with regard to their potential for use as prisoner accommodation in the short to medium term.

“The review will be completed later this month at which stage it will be considered,” Ms McEntee said in a written response to queries by Sinn Féin TD for Cork North Central Thomas Gould.

However, Mr Gould told The Echo that the review should not result in the reopening of the old Cork Prison site: “The minister has now indicated on the record that that is being considered.”

He highlighted that the people of The Glen already have a prison “right in the heart of their community”.

“Reopening the old site will leave people’s homes sandwiched between two prisons. That is completely unacceptable.

“The Land Development Agency have previously expressed an interest in the site and I know that there are community groups who I have met with who would be interested in bringing the site back to use as a community hub.

“This could be done in collaboration with the Department of Justice through the probation service or other organisations so that the local community receives some recognition of the impact the existing prison has on them,” he said.

“While additional prison capacity may be needed in Cork, this is not the site for it. I am calling for the minister to publish this review as soon as it is completed and to clearly lay out the future plans for this site. This cannot be allowed to continue in limbo.”

The old Cork Prison facility was built in the early 1800s and operated as a prison up to 2016 when it was deemed no longer suitable for use due to the condition of the facilities, the size of the cellular accommodation and the lack of in-cell sanitation. It was closed in February, 2016, following the construction and opening of the new prison.