Midlands Prison to have 500 defective cell windows replaced

Hundreds of defective prison cell windows are to be replaced at the Midlands Prison in Portlaoise, Co Laois.

Windows in 500 cells in the original prison building are being replaced due to concerns over security, hygiene and health and safety.

The Irish Prison Service (IPS) is seeking a contractor to manufacture and instal the new windows.

The work is to be carried out on a phased basis.

‘Latent defect’

An IPS tender document says “the Midlands Prison has a latent defect in the design structure of the cell windows. The polycarbonate inserts in these windows have been damaged and have resulted in security, hygiene, and health and safety problems.

“This project is for the manufacture and installation of new security external windows for 500 cells in the original Midlands Prison Wings on a phased basis to meet the operational requirements of the prison,” the IPS said.

The Midlands Prison was officially opened in 2000 after being built at a cost of more than IR£43 million.

In 2012, an additional 175-cell wing was completed. This section is not affected by the windows issue.