Prisoners to be given chance of gaining employment in racing through new project

Work on a new horse welfare centre at Castlerea Prison in County Roscommon, which will involve an innovative programme aimed at assisting prisoners securing employment as stable staff and other positions within the equine industry on release, is expected to be up and running in approximately six months.

The brainchild of Jonathan Irwin, founder of the Jack & Jill foundation, the project will be run with the involvement of the Irish Horse Welfare Trust on land adjacent to the prison.

An American-style barn will be constructed containing ten stables and also a 50 by 50 metre exercise area, tack room, fodder and general storage areas along with staff and prisoner facilities including a canteen, toilets and an office.

Martin Reilly, governor of Castlerea Prison, said: "This is an exciting new venture for Castlerea Prison and the Irish Prison Service and will have many positive benefits for the participants and ultimately for our communities, which will be safer by the reduction in reoffending."

Robert Hall, RTE racing's front man, has been involved with the project since its inception in 2016 and he said: "Jonathan [Irwin] has championed the idea for a long time and so far a six-figure sum has been raised from within the racing industry. Fundraising is ongoing and we’re hoping to get some sponsorship.

"The sod was turned on Friday by the Minister of State for Equality, Immigration and Integration, David Stanton TD, and the bulldozers are in.

"There have been similar projects run successfully in the US and Australia but this will be first time in Europe that the horse has been introduced into the prison rehab system."

Stanton said: "This project will give participants many positive benefits in terms of self-development, preparation for employment, positive impact and physical and mental wellbeing and these will be vital as they seek to turn their lives around after release."

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