mountjoy prison visit number

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Visiting someone in prison

Introduction, covid-19 updates, how to arrange a visit, how visits work, money transfers to prisoners’ accounts, rights and entitlements of prisoners, further information.

If a member of your family is in prison, visits can help you stay in contact and maintain a healthy relationship. You can also keep in touch by letter and your family member can contact you by telephone.

Prison visits are important to maintain relationships and support the prisoner's mental wellbeing. Stable family relationships and community ties have also been recognised as important factors in helping with the resettlement and reintegration of prisoners in civil society.

The rules governing prison visits in Ireland are set out in sections 35-50 of Prison Rules, 2007 .

You can find out more about the process of requesting a professional visit to a prisoner on the Irish Prison Service website.

The Irish Prison Service has reintroduced physical visits . Prisoners can have a video visit instead of a physical visit if they prefer.

A maximum of 5 persons are allowed per visit with a maximum of 3 adults. You must wear a face covering.

You can continue to arrange video visits using the Irish Prison Service website.

A minimum of 48 hours’ notice must be given when requesting a visit to any prison in Ireland.

Visits can be requested online , over the phone or, in some cases, in person at the visitors’ centre. You can read the Irish Prison Service’s Family Information Booklet for information (pdf) about how visits work.

When submitting an online request for a visit, you must provide:

• The name and PRIS number of the prisoner you wish to visit, and whether you wish to visit in person or online
• Your name, date of birth, address, email and telephone number
• Details of any extra visitors coming with you (if any)
• Up to 2 proposed visit times and dates
• The number of children you will bring (if any)

A visit is not confirmed until a formal email is received confirming the date and time of the intended visit from the prison. This should be printed off and brought with you to the prison when visiting.

In most cases, a prisoner can nominate at least 6 people who may visit them. If you are not on the list, it is unlikely that you be able to arrange a visit. This is the case irrespective of your relationship to the prisoner, and a prisoner does not have to meet with a visitor.

Identification

You must bring valid photo identification to the prison, such as a current passport or driver’s license. If you don’t, you may be refused entry.

You must also identify the prisoner you are visiting and provide details of your relationship to them.

Airport-style walk-through detectors and x-ray scanners are installed in every closed prison in Ireland, and sniffer dogs from the Garda Canine Unit may also be present for the purposes of detecting banned substances.

You may be searched to ensure that you are not in possession of prohibited materials upon entering the prison. The search must be carried out with due regard to your decency and it must be conducted by at least 2 prison guards of your gender.

If you do not consent to be searched, the governor can refuse you entry to the prison.

What can I take into a prison?

Visitors are required to deposit their phones and any personal items in the area provided at the visitors centre before entering the prison.

If you want to give something to your family member, you must check that it is permitted by the prison in advance. Anything you take in must be handed to the officer in charge of visits.

You will not be allowed to enter a prison if you are carrying any of following items:

• Mobile phones or chargers
• Any item which could be used as a weapon, particularly sharp items
• Medicines and drugs, including prescription drugs

All prisons implement certain measures to regulate and monitor visits in the interests of health and safety. Most visits are supervised in sight, but not in hearing.

For example, while prisons must provide facilities to allow a prisoner and visitor to see and talk to one another, the visit may be screened with the use of glass, or other types of screens, to prevent physical contact.

It is at the discretion of the prison governor to allow physical contact between a prisoner and a visitor when they are satisfied that such contact will not facilitate the entry into the prison of controlled drugs or other prohibited articles or substances.

The Irish Council for Prisoners Overseas has published a guide (pdf) on how to get the most out of a prison visit, including advice on planning visits and respecting prison rules.

Children visiting a prison

In most cases, anyone under the age of 18 who is visiting a prison must be accompanied by an adult.

Due to prison security measures and the regulated nature of visits, it can often be a stressful experience for a child to visit somebody in prison. It can be beneficial, therefore, to prepare a child on what to expect when visiting a prison.

You can read the Irish Prison Service’s Family Information Booklet (pdf) for information about how visits work.

You can transfer funds to people in prison. All transactions should be completed within 2 to 5 working days.

For general queries about lodging money into a prisoner’s account, you can email [email protected] .

An Post BillPay Card

Your relative or friend in prison must nominate you as a person who can receive An Post BillPay card (pdf) from the Irish Prison Service.

Once you receive the BillPay Card, you can call in to any post office in Ireland, hand the BillPay Card in at the counter and lodge funds in cash or by debit card.

You will be given a receipt, which you should keep as proof of payment. The maximum transaction is €200. The card may be shared by family members to send funds to the person in custody.

Bank transfer

You can also transfer funds from your bank account to that of a friend or relative in prison by bank transfer (pdf) .

You can do this through your bank’s website or app, or by calling into your bank. The maximum transaction is €200 and any payment over this amount will be returned.

To make the transfer, you will need:

• The Irish Prison Service’s BIC and IBAN (pdf) , and
• The prisoner ID number, which should be entered into the reference box for the transaction (if not entered or entered incorrectly, the person in custody cannot receive the funds)

The visitation entitlements of prisoners vary based on their custodial status.

The Irish Prison Service also operates an Incentivised Regimes Policy, rewarding prisoners for good behaviour with increased visitation and other entitlements. You can read more about the Incentivised Regimes Policy (pdf) .

You can also learn more about prisoners’ rights and entitlements in our page on prison conditions .

Physical or online visits

Prisoners are entitled to receive at least one family visit per week, which can be either online or in person. If the visit is online, it can last up to 20 minutes.

The following rules apply for physical visits:

• A sentenced prisoner who is 18 or over is allowed a minimum of one 30 minute visit from relatives or friends each week
• A sentenced prisoner who is under 18 is allowed a minimum of 2, 30 minute visits from relatives or friends each week
• A remand prisoner is allowed one visit per day from relatives or friends for at least 15 minutes a minimum of 3 times a week

A remand prisoner is someone who has yet to be convicted of a criminal offence and is remanded in custody while awaiting trial. You can read more about the rights of remand prisoners .

The governor of a prison can allow for additional or longer visits where circumstances permit. They may also prohibit a prisoner from receiving visitors.

Telephone calls

Subject to the availability of facilities:

• A convicted prisoner who is 18 or over is entitled to make at least one telephone call per week to a family member or friend
• A convicted prisoner under 18 is entitled to make at least 2 telephone calls per week to a family member or friend
• A remand prisoner is entitled to make at least 5 telephone calls per week to a family member or friend, and as many telephone calls as are reasonably necessary for the purpose of managing their property or business affairs

In strictly limited circumstances, where a governor has grounds to believe that a phone call may compromise the health and safety of a prisoner or member of the community, they may order that a call be monitored, recorded or prematurely terminated.

A prisoner is entitled to send letters to their family and friends, and to receive as many letters as are sent to them.

However, any prisoner who sends more than 7 letters in a single week may have to pay for postage and writing materials for any more letters they send.

Examination of letters

The governor can open, examine and confiscate:

• A letter being sent by a prisoner if its contents are suspected of undermining the safety and welfare of others (this does not apply to a letter to a professional recipient, such as a legal advisor or court official)
• A letter that has been sent to a prisoner if there are grounds to believe that its contents may compromise secure custody in prison, or would facilitate or hamper an investigation into a criminal offence

Foreign nationals

The following rules apply if you are a foreign national:

• A foreign national is entitled to receive a visit from their consul
• A stateless person is entitled to receive a visit from the consul of a state of their choosing
• An asylum applicant is entitled to receive a visit from a consul of a state of their choosing, as well as any national or international organisations deemed appropriate by the Minister for Justice

Unless the governor otherwise directs, all such visits to foreign nationals will take place in the hearing and view of a prison officer.

Irish Prison Service

IDA Business Park Ballinalee Road Longford Co. Longford Ireland

Related documents

• Prison system in Ireland This document provides practical information about the structure and operation of the prison system in Ireland. 1127.4338
• Prisoners' rights The main source of prisoners' rights is the Prison Rules 2007. Find out more. 938.44055
• Irish prisoners overseas Irish prisoners overseas face significant difficulties and in some jurisdictions prison conditions and safety can be a major cause of concern. 924.8471

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Mountjoy prison campus, description, phone number, email address, organisation's catchment area(s).

Can You Visit Mountjoy Prison?

In this article, We'll delve into Mountjoy Prison's fascinating past and present and most importantly, we'll address the burning question on many minds.

PrisonsInfo.com | We Have Information About Every US Prison

Prisons have always held a unique place in society, evoking curiosity, fear, and fascination. Mountjoy Prison, located in the heart of Dublin, Ireland, is no exception. With a history dating back to 1850, this infamous correctional facility has witnessed political upheavals, social changes, and the evolution of incarceration itself.

We'll delve into Mountjoy Prison's fascinating past and present in this blog. Most importantly, we'll address the burning question on many minds: Can you visit Mountjoy Prison?

Mountjoy Prison—A Journey through Time

Mountjoy Prison, originally Mountjoy Gaol, has witnessed nearly two centuries of Irish history. Initially a temporary holding location for prisoners bound for transportation, it evolved into a model facility inspired by Pentonville Gaol in London.

Designed for silence and segregation, it featured individual cells on four wings. Over time, modern amenities transformed Mountjoy into a medium-security prison for adult males.

The Historic Walls

Visiting Mountjoy Prison offers a glimpse into Ireland's past and the struggles of its former inhabitants.

The prison's walls witness numerous historical executions, including prominent Irish Republican figures like Kevin Barry, Patrick Moran, and Thomas Whelan. '

These events symbolized resistance against British rule and the fight for Irish independence, impacting Mountjoy's historical significance. The prison stands as a living monument to the resilience and determination of the Irish people during their darkest times.

As debates about Mountjoy's future continue, preserving its historical importance is crucial while addressing modern incarceration and rehabilitation challenges. Mountjoy's story intertwines the past, present, and future, reminding us to learn from history and strive for a just and compassionate society.

As visitors, our curiosity often leads us to question whether we can visit Mountjoy Prison. The answer is yes! Mountjoy Prison is open to visitors , allowing them to witness Ireland's history firsthand and gain insights into the challenges of contemporary incarceration.

Visiting Mountjoy Prison:

Visiting Mountjoy Prison is a unique opportunity to step back in time and experience the historical significance of this iconic correctional facility. To make the most of your visit, here are some essentia l details and protocols to follow :

Booking a Visit:

If you wish to visit Mountjoy Prison, be sure to plan ahead. Visitors are required to provide a minimum of 48 hours' notice when booking a visit. This advance notice is essential to ensure proper arrangements for visitors' and inmates' safety and security.

Confirmation and Receipt:

Once your visit is confirmed, you will receive a receipt email containing important details, such as the date and time of your intended visit. When visiting the prison, it is crucial to bring this receipt with you, as it will serve as your authorization to enter.

Visiting Days and Times:

Mountjoy Prison welcomes visitors on specific days and times to ensure a smooth and organized experience. Visiting days are scheduled for Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

The morning visiting times are at 10 am and 12 am, while the afternoon sessions are at 2 pm and 4 pm.

Contact Information:

To book your visit or inquire about any further details, you can contact Mountjoy Prison directly at Tel: 01 8858955. Alternatively, you can use the convenience of online booking to secure your spot.

Preserving Historical Significance

As Mountjoy Prison approaches its 170th anniversary, discussions about its future have emerged, sparking debates on how best to preserve its historical significance.

Critics argue that the prison's physical conditions and historical value necessitate a reevaluation of its purpose. Some propose the relocation of Mountjoy to a greenfield site to establish a new, community-based prison that meets modern standards.

However, preserving the historical elements within Mountjoy Prison presents a unique set of challenges. The prison is a living witness to Ireland's political and social history, where numerous significant events took place, leaving an indelible mark on the nation's collective memory.

Architectural Heritage:

Mountjoy's architecture, influenced by the design of Pentonville Gaol in London, reflects the penitentiary principles of its time. The idea of silence and segregation enabled prisoners to contemplate their misdeeds and refrain from corrupting one another.

The individual cells, radiating off the central hub of the prison, served as the foundation for the "separate system ." Preserving these architectural features would require careful restoration and maintenance to ensure they remain intact for future generations to appreciate.

Historical Events:

Throughout its existence, Mountjoy Prison has been the stage for numerous historical events, including the incarceration and execution of prominent figures in Ireland's fight for independence.

The significance of these events extends beyond the prison's walls, becoming intertwined with the country's struggle for sovereignty. Preserving this historical context involves acknowledging and commemorating the sacrifices of those who fought for Ireland's freedom. READ Private Prisons In The State Of Kentucky

Community Connections:

The communities it serves are inextricably linked to Mountjoy Prison, which is more than just a historical site. The prison's location in the heart of Dublin means many inmates have ties to the surrounding neighborhoods.

Visits from family members and friends to loved ones serving time in prison can be crucial for preserving relationships and promoting rehabilitation. Any potential relocation should consider the impact on these communities and ensure that accessibility for visitors remains a priority.

Life Behind the Walls of Mountjoy Prison

Within the confines of Mountjoy Prison, inmates experience a world of contrasts where emotions, challenges, and opportunities intertwine.

Upon arrival, each prisoner undergoes a comprehensive assessment, ensuring personalized support and interventions at Mountjoy. For some inmates, safety is paramount, leading to protective measures for those associated with gangs or facing potential dangers within the community.

The Challenging Behavior Unit, or "cooling-off area," is crucial in de-escalating tensions and providing inmates with a structured environment for reflection, fostering positive behavioral changes.

Emphasizing education and rehabilitation is a cornerstone of life behind Mountjoy's walls. Recognizing that valuable skills are key to breaking the cycle of crime, the prison offers a wide range of education programs, including literacy, vocational training, and higher education opportunities.

Moreover, counseling and therapy services address mental health and addiction issues, providing inmates with the support they need to confront their past and build a brighter future.

Facing the Challenges in Mountjoy Prison

Operating Mountjoy Prison is no small feat, presenting many challenges for dedicated staff. The prison's connection to the broader society means spillover issues, such as gang rivalries and community conflicts, can impact the prison environment.

Mountjoy's commitment to rehabilitation and support is evident in the tireless efforts of its staff. While maintaining security as a priority, the focus is on providing inmates with the necessary tools for personal growth and transformation.

A rehabilitative approach seeks to reduce recidivism rates and break the cycle of crime for a safer society. Vigilant staff and effective intervention strategies are essential to mitigate potential risks.

Innovative measures have enhanced the prison experience and well-being of inmates. Televisions in cells, for instance, have significantly reduced self-harm incidents and fostered a sense of companionship among inmates.

While challenges abound, Mountjoy's staff remain steadfast in their mission of positive change. Their dedication highlights ongoing efforts to improve prison conditions and promote a compassionate approach to incarceration.

Read Private Prisons In The State Of Iowa

The Historic Mountjoy Prison Conclusion

Mountjoy Prison is more than just a correctional facility; it is a living testament to Ireland's history, housing stories of political resistance, societal struggles, and the human spirit's resilience.

Visiting Mountjoy offers a unique opportunity to understand Ireland's past and appreciate the ongoing journey towards a more just and compassionate society. As debates about its future continue, the importance of addressing the complex issues surrounding incarceration becomes evident.

Mountjoy's story continues to evolve, reminding us of the significance of preserving our historical heritage while striving for a brighter future.

Read more related articles;

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The chilling legacy of 50 years of hangings at Mountjoy Prison

Last used 60 years ago, the hang room in the jail retains sorrow and eeriness.

Sean Reynolds, curator of Mountjoy Prison Museum shows us some of its very unusual exhibits and brings us into the prison's execution chamber, known as the 'hang house' which was last used in 1954.

It is the most chilling room you will ever stand in. The Hang Room – or execution room – at Mountjoy Prison in Dublin was last used in 1954, but it remains intact, tucked at the back of a wing of the prison undergoing renovation.

Retired prison officer Seán Reynolds, who curates a small museum on the prison site, unlocked the door to this grim chamber during a visit facilitated by the Irish Prison Service this week.

Even the tool-buzz and chatter of workers renovating adjacent rooms doesn't detract from the eeriness of this space where 45 men and one woman were hanged between 1901 and 1954. They included the young Kevin Barry and nine other volunteers executed during the War of Independence and buried on the prison grounds until their remains were disinterred in 2001.

The first man hanged in Mountjoy was John Toole, executed on March 7th 1901 for the murder of Lizzie Brennan on Charlemont Street; the last execution was that of Michael Manning on April 20th 1954 for the murder of nurse Catherine Cooper.

Annie Walsh, the only woman hanged here, was executed on August 5th 1925 for the murder of her husband Ned.

Standing above the open trap doors, Reynolds recounts the story the last hangman, Albert Pierrepoint, told of himself: that he had hanged a man "in less time than it took the ash to fall off a cigar I had left half-smoked in my room at Pentonville [prison]".

Nine seconds to die

Between eight and nine seconds would elapse from the time a prisoner was led through the door from the condemned cell and their drop through the doors into the void of the lower chamber.

The museum itself – not open to the public – is housed in an old cash-and-carry on the prison site. This small room, tended by Reynolds for a few hours each week, contains hundreds of artefacts, many of them donated by family members of retired or dead prison staff.

“I always had an interest in these old bits and pieces you can see around me here. With the help of our chief officer here at the time, Jim Petherbridge, we decided we’d set up a museum. I’ve been running this now here since I retired in 2006,” says Reynolds.

At the back of the room, two huge wooden panels dating from 1858 and from the old Protestant church in the prison, display the Ten Commandments.

Not an inch of wall or floor is free of pictures, artefacts or prison memorabilia. Most are connected to Mountjoy's 164-year-old history but some are from other prisons in Ireland and elsewhere.

Cabinets display implements of torture alongside the most mundane of items once used by prisoners and prison officers. Old-school cigarette and tobacco packs lie beside whistles on chains, a cat-o-nine-tails and birch rods once used for delivering lashes. Tailors’ dummies model uniforms worn by prison officers and prisoners – many made from tweed woven on one of the 24 looms once housed in the prison’s workshops.

At one stage there were two tailors, two shoemakers and a weaver on the prison staff.

Release outfit

The so-called liberty suit, cut from very fine cloth, stands out. “That was given to a prisoner on release after completing a penal servitude sentence. Anything over three years; he was entitled to a suit of clothes going home,” Reynolds explains.

There are items you might previously have thought were the work of writers’ imaginations, such as the skilfully plaited strands of a bedsheet used to make a rope for an escape attempt. “Thanks to the due diligence of the staff, that was caught before it could be used.”

A modern Chambers dictionary on a table beside an old telephone turns out to have had its pages hollowed out – the ideal hiding place for a mobile phone or a knife, says Reynolds.

"Someone was a fan of the Shawshank Redemption ."

Reynolds says the stand-out item for him in the museum is a German Maxim gun, found in poor condition under a kitchen in 2006 when the foundations were being dug for a new medical unit.

Prisoner Markievicz

It was recently restored with the help of prison officers and the Army at the Curragh.

Some famous and infamous names appear in registers on display. The name of Constance Georgine Markievicz is neatly inked in one along with the charges against her for partaking in the 1916 Rising. Markievicz had been transferred from Kilmainham Gaol after the rebellion. In another book is the name of Mary Anne (Mamie) Cadden, the Dublin back-street abortionist sentenced to death after one of her patients died of an embolism in 1951.

The sentence was later commuted. Cadden’s name is recorded with a tally of points awarded by the prison officer in charge for her knitting skills.

Meticulous preparation for the hangings is reflected in items on display – a dummy made of a type of sack-cloth, which would be filled with sand to help calculate the rope drop required to successfully execute a prisoner.

A plaster “death mask” of Pierrepoint is on the wall, along with a handwritten table of “drops” based on a prisoner’s weight and height. Reynolds unlocks a wooden crate which has been in the prison since 1900. Thick, hangman’s ropes and some heavy leather straps, used to bind a prisoners’ hands behind their back before being hanged, are nestled inside.

It is deeply disturbing, the heft of this rope in your hands, the leather covering the noose cracking in places.

“These were all used; every one of them,” says Reynolds.

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Can You Visit Mountjoy Prison

Table of Contents

Introduction to Mountjoy Prison

Mountjoy Prison, a name that rings several bells, has been an intriguing part of Ireland’s history. Opened in 1850, the prison is a unique representation of the Irish justice system. It offers an insightful lens into the country’s past.

History of Mountjoy Prison

Mountjoy Prison has witnessed some of the most significant events in Irish history. Originally built to house convicts before transportation to Australia, it later became a home for Ireland’s most notorious criminals and was a site of executions during the Irish Civil War.

Location and Significance of Mountjoy Prison

Situated in the heart of Dublin, the prison holds historical, social, and political significance, making it a point of interest for many curious minds.

Visiting Mountjoy Prison

Is it possible to visit mountjoy prison.

Now, here’s the big question: Can you visit Mountjoy Prison? The short answer is yes. Mountjoy Prison provides unique guided tours, allowing the public to experience its fascinating history firsthand.

Prison Tours: A Unique Experience

These tours offer an immersive glimpse into the lives of prisoners and prison staff, past and present. They offer a rare chance to explore the infrastructure, including the notorious ‘Joy’ division cells and the execution yard.

Rules and Guidelines for Visiting

As with any public tour, there are rules to follow and guidelines to ensure the safety of visitors. So, it’s essential to check the prison’s official website for the most up-to-date information.

Booking Your Visit

Booking a visit to Mountjoy Prison is straightforward. All information related to booking can be found on their official website.

What to Expect

Visiting Mountjoy Prison can be an emotional experience. It gives an understanding of the stark reality of prison life, which can be both intriguing and humbling.

Insights from Previous Visitors

Unique experiences.

Visitors have often expressed their surprise and awe at the prison’s grim yet captivating history, finding the tour a unique experience that evokes a wide range of emotions.

Educational Value

Many visitors have found the tour to be significantly educational, providing insights into the prison system and Irish history that are rarely found elsewhere.

The Debate: Should Prisons be Open for Tours

Pros and cons.

As with everything, there’s a debate about whether prisons should be open for tours. Critics argue that it could trivialize the seriousness of crime, while supporters argue that it offers educational value and insight into the criminal justice system.

In conclusion, yes, you can visit Mountjoy Prison. It offers a unique chance to step back in time and experience an essential piece of Irish history. While it may not be for everyone, the experience is certainly unique and thought-provoking.

• Is Mountjoy Prison still in operation? Yes, Mountjoy Prison is still in operation as of today.
• What days are tours available at Mountjoy Prison? Tour availability can vary, so it’s recommended to check the official website for the most accurate information.
• How long is the prison tour? Typically, prison tours last about 2 hours.
• Are there any restrictions for visitors? There may be restrictions for visitors, depending on current rules and regulations. It’s always best to check the official website for detailed information.
• Is there a fee to visit Mountjoy Prison? Yes, there is a fee for the guided tours. Details can be found on their official website.

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East Region Prison Visitor Centres

East Region Prison Visitor Centres is a collaboration between the Society of St. Vincent De Paul and the Dublin Quakers (Society of Friends). With funding and support from the Irish Prison Service, designated centres were first provided in 1999. These centres provide a basic hospitality service in Cloverhill Remand Prison, Mountjoy Prison, Dochas Centre and most recently (2016) Wheatfield Prison.

Prison Visitation Centres

Prison Visitor Centres provide free tea, coffee and snack bar to visitors before and after their visit.

They provide fully equipped play areas which are staffed by qualified childcare workers and children can avail of play and arts and crafts activities before and after their visit.

Visitation centres offer several services to all those affected by the imprisonment of a loved one, these services include;

• Parenting advice and support
• Family support
• Information and advocacy services.

We aim to provide an essential, safe, pleasant, caring and supportive environment to each and every visitor prior to and after their prison visit. There are 15 staff, (7 full-time and 8 part-time) working alongside a number of volunteers.

The overall direction of the centres is managed by the Prison Visitor Centres Management Committee and members include representatives from SVP, the Society of Friends and the Irish Prison Service.

SVP East Region Prison Visitor Centres are of great benefit to families visiting loved ones in prison. We play a crucial role in maintaining the bond between the child/family and the person imprisoned. We do this by providing facilities and compassionate support to children and their families who need to help them cope with having a loved one in prison.

Prior to the establishment of SVP East Region Prison Visitor Centres, provision was minimal. The absence of an adequate place for visitors to go before and after their prison visit added greatly to the emotional distress of having to visit a loved one in prison.

The number of people using our services is significant. The average number of visitors per month is reaching 4,000.

Family Support Services

Family members of those imprisoned are often referred to as "hidden victims" of the criminal justice system who are neither acknowledged nor given a platform to be heard. These hidden victims receive little personal support. They do not benefit from the social mechanisms generally available to direct crime victims, despite the fact that they too suffer the consequences of the crimes committed.

Children whose parents are involved in the criminal justice system, in particular, face a host of challenges and difficulties. These can include or result in:

• psychological strain,
• antisocial behaviour,
• suspension or expulsion from school,
• economic hardship, and
• criminal activity.

It is difficult to predict how a child will fare when a parent is intermittently or continually imprisoned. Research findings on these children's risk factors are mixed. However, research suggests that the strength or weakness of the parent-child bond and the quality of the child and family's support system. This plays a significant role in the child's ability to overcome challenges and succeed in life. Therefore, it is critical that the bond between the child/family and the person imprisoned is supported and encouraged.

Staff and Volunteers

The success of what we do depends on our staff and volunteers. All are highly committed to working with the visitors that use our service. Commitment enables friendship and friendship builds trust. This is crucial when working with vulnerable and distressed visitors. We are also very lucky to have an excellent working relationship with prison staff.

We see daily the benefits for those using our services, many of whom are often in a vulnerable state. SVP provides a listening ear and a friendly face to help people cope with the reality of having a loved one in prison. We strive to make the visiting experience a positive one and hope to create some happy memories along the way.

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Mountjoy: the story of a prison

Tim Carey (Collins Press) ISBN 1898256896

Entering Mountjoy jail in 1997, having spent two years researching its history for this book, the author sought to ‘step back in time’ so as to make a connection with Mountjoy’s nineteenth-century past. Peering through the spy hole of a cell in the basement of B wing, one of the cell’s dozen occupants greeted him with a cheery ‘f*** off’. Stopping in the Circle, the engine room around which the prison revolves, as prisoners moved two and fro between visits, or the prison tuck shop, or to workshops, a prison guard assured him, ‘in a crowded pub voice’, that what looked like chaos, was actually quite organised. Another lasting impression was the ‘peculiar smell’ of the prison. It was a ‘cloying smell which lodged in the nostrils’, ‘a curious mixture of decay, cigarettes, piss-pots in cells, daily slop-out, toilets at the end of corridors, underwear changed once a week, hundreds of people working and living at close quarters’, mixed with the smell of ‘food, disinfectant and detergents’. The story of Mountjoy, as recorded by Tim Carey, is a complex story of human failure on the one hand and human resistance and endurance on the other. We see government ministers and civil servants, private businessmen—speculators in human misery, philosophers, priests and nuns, engineers and architects. With bayonet, wig and gown, bible, chart and brick and mortar, this motley crew of opportunists and ‘do-gooders’ develop theories, often in the name of Christ, to justify the containment of their fellow humans, usually in appalling conditions. With the ending of transportation to the other outposts of empire in the middle of the nineteenth century, the rich needed somewhere to contain those they feared and despised. Mountjoy would be, as Carey so nicely puts it, ‘the creepy crawly underside of the well-polished stone of Georgian Dublin’. Adopting the model of Pentonville jail in England, Mountjoy would be built in such a way so as to keep prisoners isolated from each other. This ‘separate system’ was an idea ‘strongly influenced by contemplative Quaker religious practice’. It also reflected a prevailing perception of crime. Crime was often understood as a disease, one ‘so virulent and contagious that it could be transmitted through communication’. The theory in place, the engineers would comply, designing the tools of the trade. In advocating the infamous treadmill, or ‘everlasting staircase’, the Association for the Improvement of Prison Discipline proclaimed, ‘in a recommendation reminiscent of a 1950s washing machine commercial’ as the author puts it, that ‘no house of correction should be without it’. A more subtle form of distraction was referred to as ‘stupid oakum picking’. Here prisoners would pull apart the threads of old tarred ropes. Once returned to single strands they could be used again for new ropes or ‘for caulking and sealing joints on ships’. This was likened to ‘placing the mind on a treadmill—where there is motion without progression’. Underlying such work schemes was the obvious financial incentive, as the fruits of prisoners’ labours could be used to pay for their incarceration. However, the separation of prisoners was criticised from other quarters. One Catholic chaplain feared that the result of separation might be that ‘these poor creatures are not called by God to a contemplative life, and hence their minds [might] soon require to be relieved by other occupations’. Here we see that the emphasis on betterment through separation, central to the design of the prison, clashed with that other Victorian obsession, how to prevent sex. Chapels were designed in such a way that each prisoner was confined in their own booth, but clearly overcome by the sermon, many prisoners obviously found it difficult to resist celebrating with someone they loved. And although this was by its nature a solitary practice, Carey discovers evidence of prisoners offering each other lessons in the art. Here we begin to get a glimpse of the other side of the prison story. It is one of suffering, adaptation and the arts of resistance. The indefatigable Peadar O’Donnell, who put himself in the way of many a struggle, describes the impact of his first day of incarceration in Mountjoy. When his cell door closed for the first time he writes, ‘I was as full of panic as a child, who, searching nervously in the distant corner of a barn at night time, is trapped by a gust of wind which slams the door and puts out the candle; it was as bad as that’. It is under such circumstances that human survival instincts come to the fore. One inmate, writing in the 1880s, describes the curious behaviour of some prisoners: ‘They make much of the companionship of a mouse or spider, and learn from them the lessons of patience, and hope, and courage’. Another prisoner, Sean Milroy, writing in 1915 in a similar vein, issues a warning to those who enter the ‘palace of bolts and bars’ not to forget to take their imagination with them when they go in or they are in ‘for the devil of a time’. In terms of political resistance, of course, Mountjoy has seen it all. As Carey puts it, ‘To understand the history of Ireland one should visit its prisons’. Young Irelanders, Fenians, Suffragists, trade unionists, republicans, conscientious objectors, all have entered its gates and many have left by more imaginative exits. Some were born there and never left however. In one year, twelve of the twenty-seven children born in the female wing died within twelve months. Mountjoy, the story of a prison is well researched, mostly employing primary sources in the telling. However, the author has managed to combine quotations with diagrams, photographs and various pieces of political ephemera and, by weaving all this together with an engaging turn of phrase, he has sought to ensure the book’s accessibility to as wide an audience as possible. Given the contemporary punitive obsession with building more of these monuments to human cruelty the merits of such an approach are obvious. Johnny Connolly

Personal Histories

On this day.

• 1822 Ulysses Simpson Grant, general in the Union army and 18th president of the United States (1869–77), born in Ohio.
• 1521 Ferdinand Magellan ( c. 40), Portuguese navigator, was killed by natives on the island of Mactan in the Philippines during the first circumnavigation of the Earth.
• 1920 The IRA attacked the RIC station at Ballylanders, Co. Limerick. The Black and Tans terrorised Limerick city the following day.
• 1967 The Abortion Act, making abortion legal up to 28 weeks’ gestation, came into effect in the UK, with the exception of Northern Ireland.
• 1953 Maud Gonne MacBride, revolutionary and iconic figure in nationalist mythology, died.
• 1916 Outside Hulluch, north of Loos in northern France, the 16th (Irish) Division suffered one of the heaviest gas attacks of the First World War; 538 men died and a further 1,590 were injured.
• 1923 Eamon de Valera offered terms for negotiation to end the Civil War, which were rejected by the Free State government.
• 1953 Maud Gonne (86), iconic figure in Irish nationalism, died.

• Entertainment

Drugs ‘dropped by drones’ into prisons after nets damaged from bad weather

Drugs and contraband are being smuggled via drones to prisons nationwide, a prison officer has warned.

The Prison Officers Association (POA) are holding their annual conference in Sligo on Thursday, with one of the topics being raised being that drugs are being smuggled ‘with impunity’ into the grounds of prisons — particularly using drones.

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Story continues below.

Contraband nets in Mountjoy , Wheatfield and Cloverhill prisons in Dublin have all fallen as a result of bad weather and haven’t been replaced yet, leading to contraband being easily smuggled via the drones — with Midlands prison officer and head of the organisation, Tony Power, saying that the smuggling isn’t limited to just Dublin prisons.

‘What we need initially is anti-drone technology,’ Mr Power told Midlands 103. ‘We’ve had it now in the Midlands, and as lately as last Sunday week, a large drone came in over one of the exercise yards and dropped packages into the yard.

‘We need the [prison] governors to step up to the mark and hold the prisoners accountable, because what we’re having at the moment is prisoners are getting “good” on reports, and aren’t getting warnings [for this happening].’

According to latest figures, over 1,200 mobile phones and packages of drugs, as well as over 300 weapons were seized last year — but only 66 people were arrested.

One of the packages delivered by the drones had an estimated street value of over €6,000.

‘Despite the best efforts of our members on the ground our prisons are being flooded with contraband, such as phones, drugs and a variety of weapons,’ General Secretary of the POA Karl Dalton said.

‘From 2015 to 2023, the drug seizures entering prisons were up 160%, mobile phone seizures were up 203%, yet the number of related arrests by were down 52%. During the period the level of mobile phone seizures in Wheatfield Prison alone were up 1374%, from 35 to 1374 per year.’

‘Over the same period in Cloverhill Prison drug seizures increased by 294% from 104 to 410 per year.

‘We are all aware that despite our best efforts the level of confiscations merely reflects a percentage of the actual smuggling levels,’ Mr Dalton continued. ‘We have an increasing and concerning trend in regard to the smuggling of contraband, which of course is also tied to intimidation and violence within and outside the prison system.’

Wheatfield Prison. Pic: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin

Despite anti-drone technology being purchased, Mr Dalton said that such technology is ‘outdated’ and ‘doesn’t work,’ adding ‘It is not acceptable that our members are still grappling with this smuggling problem on the ground, without the necessary support.

‘They must deal with the consequences of our prisons being saturated with various items of contraband, as indeed must a large portion of the prison population and often their families.’

Investigation launched following death of inmate at Mountjoy Prison

Inmate found dead in mountjoy prison as investigation launched, prison officer stabbed in the face following attempted escape at dublin prison, must read irish news.

More: Trending Irish News

Caught with pants down: Mountjoy's steamy jailhouse romance exposed

D UBLIN, Ireland - A rogue prisoner was discovered with his pants down trying to have sex with his girlfriend behind bars at Mountjoy Prison.

The culprit, who was in his twenties, could secure a small booth for himself and his romantic guest, which life prisoners often use to get privacy with their families.

There was usually a prison warder in the chamber, but not on this occasion, so the prisoner took advantage of the opportunity for a jailhouse romp on the couch with his girlfriend.

The duo was apprehended a few minutes later when a keen-eyed warder noticed them on security cameras amid their steamy hanky-panky.

Furious staff went into the room and told them to halt and adjust their clothes. The woman was told to end her visit and return home.

The guy, who has multiple prior offenses, was subsequently subject to a full P19 disciplinary hearing before prison officials for his raunchy behavior.

He lost some of his privileges for violating prison rules and was sent from Mountjoy's progressive wing for well-behaved offenders to the mainstream jail. He also had less time for recreation.

Since this incident, changes have been made to the private booths to allow jail warders to supervise those within better.

According to a Mountjoy source, the individual was nearing the end of his sentence and did something very idiotic.

The couple took advantage of the opportunity to romp in their booth. They had some of their clothes off and were in the beginning phases of a sexual interaction.

"I wouldn't say they were having full intercourse, but they were pretty near. The party was disrupted when they were caught on security cameras.

"According to Irish legislation, inmates are not permitted to have sex with their partners while in jail. Some countries, such as Sweden, allow conjugal visits, while we do not. Perhaps this is something that should be looked into. It might lessen stress in jails."

In 10 European Union countries, including Germany, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Spain, prisoners can request conjugal visits to have sex with their sweetheart while in detention. Australia, Brazil, Canada, and India also allow them.

A spokeswoman for the Irish Prison Service stated that they cannot comment on particular prisoners.

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