Mountjoy Prison chapel closed due to overcrowding

The chapel in Mountjoy Prison has been closed by the prison to be used for other purposes due to overcrowding.

The chapel is being repurposed into a video room - so that prisoners can appear remotely for court hearings. There’s also talk it could be used for videoing family members.

The closure of the Catholic chapel was done without any consultation with the prison chaplaincy, and temporarily ends the saying of mass for any prisoners who wish to avail of it.

So, is it right to take away a spiritual resource like this?

Andrea is joined by Saoirse Brady Executive Director of the Irish Penal Reform Trust, Niall Spelman, former Assistant Prison Governor of Wheatfield Prison, Michele Kerrigan, Executive Director, Care After Prison and former prisoners to discuss.