The state paid prisoners over €3m in pocket money last year. The standard rate is €1.70 cents a day, but this rises to €2.20 for well-behaved prisoners and is cuts to €0.95c for bad behaviour. Inmates can get additional payments of up to €3.50 a week for working in areas like kitchens or launderies, or for painting.
Andrea was joined by Wayne Hart, an academic, youth justice worker and former prisoner, John Lonergan, former Governor of Mountjoy Prison and listeners to discuss...