Sir, - It is reassuring to learn that the crime rate continues to decline (The Irish Times, August 31st). However, this trend makes the prison building programme all the more perplexing. At present new prisons stand empty in Clondalkin (400 places) and on the North Circular Road (80 places). Another major project (515 places) nears completion in Portlaoise.
These new institutions are a shocking and costly reminder of the poverty of thought which has characterised penal planning in this country. If the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform is to forge ahead with yet another phase of prison building, as he has promised, he must demonstrate beyond doubt that it is necessary. Is this too much to ask? - Yours, etc.,
Dr Ian O'Donnell, Director, Irish Penal Reform Trust, Lower Dominick Street, Dublin 1.