A group of about 50 prisoners held a protest at the Midlands Prison on Friday when they refused to leave an exercise yard at the jail when required to. The Irish Prison Service has introduced a new regime in the jail against the backdrop of lower staffing levels. However, in a statement the Irish Prison Service said the new regime changes would become more stable and predictable in time. “This plan is to direct resources to prisoners who wish to engage in constructive activities and create a safer working environment,” the Irish Prison Service said. “The plan is heavily focused on ensuring the continued delivery of structured activities to prisoners and on encouraging prisoners to engage in structured activities by prioritising the assignment of staff to these services.”

Source: The Irish Times June 09, 2019 19:41 UTC