Loughan House is an open detention center in County Cavan, Ireland, overseen by the Irish Prison Service. Originally a novitiate, it became a prison for young males and later adult male offenders. Inmates have single or shared rooms, access to programs promoting a drug-free life and job skills, and medical and mental health services. Visiting is permitted, and selected inmates may be allowed to return home for holiday visits.
Loughan House is a prison located in Blacklion, County Cavan, Ireland. It houses male and female inmates and is considered an open detention center due to the lack of strict confinement. Its operation is overseen by the Irish Prison Service.
Built in 1953 to serve as a novitiate for a missionary congregation, Loughan House was purchased by the government in 1972 to house convicts. Initially, inmates were limited to young males between 16 and 21 years old. In October 1978, it became a detention center for boys aged 12 to 16, and in 1983, it was converted into a prison for adult male offenders aged 18 and over.
The prison operates under the Minister of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Decisions on the day-to-day functioning of the prison are made by a director general assisted by seven directors. An interim board guides the directors.
Loughan House’s mission mirrors the nation’s overall prison mission to house inmates safely and humanely. Additionally, the system works to support inmates’ goals of returning to a law-abiding life. Loughan House is a minimally secured facility, designed as an open center where inmates are expected to make the right decisions and carry out their sentences without creating disturbances.
Loughan House inmates have single or shared rooms, each with a television installed. The grounds include volleyball courts and a gym. Loughan House programs are designed to promote an alcohol and drug-free life and prepare prisoners for the outdoors by teaching them job skills. Substance abuse therapy, computer classes, and psychiatric assistance are among the programs offered.
The prison health center has a doctor on call 24 hours a day. Dental services are also available, along with mental health services such as group and individual therapy. Various work skills and personal social skills workshops are offered and attended on a voluntary basis.
Visiting is permitted at Loughan House. Visitors should check visiting hours in advance. Inmates can have personal items brought in by visitors, once the items have gone through a security inspection for contraband, drugs or alcohol.
Selected inmates may also be allowed to return home for holiday visits. In 2010, several Loughan House inmates were released long enough to go home for Christmas and Easter. The home pass can vary over time from a few hours to seven days and seven nights. Prisoners who do not return to prison at the appointed time are arrested and may be denied future settlement permits.
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