LOCALS OPPOSE HALFWAY HOUSE FOR EX-PRISONERS

Plans for Ireland's first halfway house for former women prisoners are
being opposed by residents on the North Circular Road in Dublin who
say their area is becoming institutionalised.

The plan was developed by the Society of St Vincent de Paul with the
backing of the Probation and Welfare Service.

But residents, who say they are "saturated" with social service
projects, are campaigning against the project and say that almost 100
objections to a planning application have been sent to Dublin
Corporation.

The premises, at 136 North Circular Road, has been a mother and baby
home for 15 years. "The need for such a facility has lessened and
alternative arrangements have been made by the society to meet the
lower demand at another location in the city," a spokesman said.

"In line with the society's work of helping the neediest, it was felt,
after reviewing the situation, that a halfway house for women should
be made available at the North Circular Road location.

"Unlike most other countries, Ireland does not have such a facility as
far as the society is aware," he said. "This is a first in Ireland."

Resident Mr John Monahan said the area had more than its share of
voluntary and statutory projects, ranging from the nearby prisons at
Mountjoy and Arbour Hill to facilities for homeless people, the
mentally handicapped, psychiatric patients and EHB-subsidised tenants.

The continuing "institutionalisation of the place" would deter
families from setting up home in the area, he said.

The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform said up to six
women nearing the end of their prison terms would be invited to take
part in the after-care programme and that final selection would be
made by experts such as probation officers and psychiatrists.

The women chosen would be expected to participate in drug therapy,
further education and skills training, most of which would be based at
locations other than the house on the North Circular Road.

According to the Society of St Vincent de Paul, the project will be
managed by a committee made up of its own personnel, the Daughters of
Charity, the Probation and Welfare service and representatives of
local residents.

Mr Monahan said he had been invited to sit on the management committee
but he did not see why local residents should have to take on this
task.

While the Department of Justice said up to six former prisoners would
live at the house, the Society of St Vincent de Paul said four
"ladies" would live there.

"These ladies are re-entering society having completed their sentences
and are very disadvantaged," it said. "The society has a long history
of running projects around the country without negative community
impact. It expects this project to be similarly successful."