Shelton Abbey Prison

Shelton Abbey (Irish: Mainistir Shelton) on the north bank of the Avoca near Arklow County Wicklow, is a penal institution operated by the Irish Prison Service (IPS).

Shelton Abbey
1860s drawing
Location in Ireland
LocationArklow, County Wicklow
Coordinates52.815976°N 6.190734°W / 52.815976; -6.190734
StatusOperational
Security classopen prison
Capacity115
Population94 (as of 2009)
Openedearly 1970s
Managed byIrish Prison Service
GovernorMr. Joseph Donohue

History

Until 1951 when financial difficulties forced William Howard, 8th Earl of Wicklow to sell the estate to the Irish State, Shelton Abbey was the ancestral seat of the Earls of Wicklow. The current building is set in extensive grounds and replaced a previous less extensive country house which had, in 1690, accommodated the fleeing James II of England after the Battle of the Boyne.[1] The present mansion was originally built in 1770, but extensively remodelled in a Gothic style by the Irish architect, Sir Richard Morrison, in 1819. Despite its institutional role, the building retains much of the original internal and external fabric and architectural characteristics.[2]

In the early 1840s the house and its demesne were described in Bartlett's The Scenery and Antiquities of Ireland[3] as follows:

As the united streams which form the Avoca River approach the spot where their waters mingle with those of the sea, the vale expands, and the mountains subside into gentle undulations. Amidst this scenery, Shelton Abbey, the seat of the Earl of Wicklow, is beautifully situated on the northern bank of the Avoca. It stands at the base of a range of hills which rise gently around it, and are luxuriantly clothed with oak and birch-wood. The mansion is of considerable antiquity, and has recently received several important improvements, which have converted it into an appropriate baronial residence, resembling an abbey of the fourteenth century, with additions of a later date. The picturesque character of the edifice has a fine effect, and, with the surrounding scenery, forms one of the most charming landscapes of which this delightful county can boast. The demesne stretches for a considerable distance along the bank of the river, and is thickly studded with beech and chestnut-trees, some of which have attained an unusually noble growth.

Prison

Previously used by the state as a residential forestry training facility, Shelton Abbey has, since the early 1970s, been used as an open prison for males aged 19 years and over who are regarded as requiring lower levels of security.

Accommodation for most prisoners is in dormitories (catering for up to 100). There are a few prisoners serving life sentences and some of these have single room accommodation. During the period 2001 and 2009 the daily average number of prisoners held at Shelton Abbey has varied between 27 and 94.[4] An additional accommodation wing, Avoca House, was opened in May 2009. This separate wing increased the capacity of the prison to 110.[5]

No sex offenders or Immigration Warrant prisoners were held in custody at the prison during 2009.

Participation in courses organised by and through the Education Unit is double the rate of that in other Irish prisons The prison provides various activities and amenities for its inmates including but not limited to woodwork, arts and crafts, computers, French, English, maths, music, literacy, cookery, physical education, pottery and golf. In addition the staff seek to improve inmate welfare and mental health through group psychological programs such as "Anger Management" and "Emotional Awareness" and participation in such programs is high.

Other activities prisoners participate in include looking after livestock donated by farmers to the development agency Bothar prior to their transport to farmers in Africa.[6]

Notwithstanding the pleasant surroundings, generally good amenities and relaxed security, the rate of absconding by inmates is high (68 in 2009 of whom 56 were back in custody in higher security institutions at the end of the year) as are seizures of mobile phones from inmates and their visitors (103 in 2009 up from 72 in 2008). However this level of recalcitrance is attributed to the use of the prison by the IPS to transfer prisoners not so much inclined to reform than others as a means of reducing overcrowding at other prisons.[7]

Notable inmates

See also

References
  1. Lewis, Samuel (1837). A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland. London. During the temporary sequestration of the family estates at the time of the Revolution, Jas. II., on his flight to Waterford, after the battle of the Boyne, was entertained at Shelton Abbey
  2. "Buildings of Ireland". National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH). Retrieved 31 August 2010. An important early 19th century country house which has been very well preserved.
  3. Bartlett, William; Coyne, J. Stirling; et al. (c. 1941). "Chapter 7". The Scenery and Antiquities of Ireland. 1. Shelton Abbey, the seat of the Earl of Wicklow, is beautifully situated on the northern bank of the Avoca.
  4. "Additional Stats for 2009 Annual Report". Irish Prison Service. Irish Prison Service. 2010. Archived from the original on 31 August 2010. Retrieved 31 August 2010. Daily average number of prisoners by institution
  5. Reilly, Michael (29 July 2010). "The Irish Prison Population – an examination of duties and obligations owed to prisoners". Annual Report. According to the Irish Prison Service Shelton Abbey had a bed capacity for 100 prisoners on the 24th June 2010. They have now increased this figure to 110
  6. Heffernan, Breda (27 May 2009). "Herd does a little 'hard time' before their great escape". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. Retrieved 30 August 2010. Scores of calves and kid goats are being cared for by the prisoners of the open jail in Co Wicklow.
  7. Reilly, Michael (6 May 2009). "Annual Report 2008". Office of the Inspector of Prisons.
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