Public given never-before seen access to Irish prison in virtual guided tour
The public are being granted never before seen access to one of the country's biggest prisons - in a virtual guided tour. The Irish Prison Service has today launched an incredible immersive virtual tour of the Midlands Prison in Portlaoise - allowing anyone to peer behind bars and see up close the reality of jail life. Infamous prisoners like murderer Graham Dwyer - who brutally killed childcare worker Elaine O'Hara, and wife killer Joe O'Reilly, who murdered his wife Rachel, call the Midlands Prison home. It's also home to the likes of Jozef Puska - who murdered Ashling Murphy in Tullamore Co Offaly in January 2022 - and rapist Michael Murray, known for his hoax bomb threats against the former Justice Minister, Helen McEntee. The exact sights and sounds are seen and heard throughout the process as the officer gives the viewer an educated lowdown of what goes on in each room of the massive complex - which is home to 890 prisoners. A digitally created prison officer guides the viewer from outside the prison complex, showing a prisoner being escorted inside - into the prisoner reception, where lags are scanned and searched before entering. In the reception area you can see a scanner which has an oral cavity sensor, abdominal cavity sensor, rectal and vaginal cavity sensor as well as a shin and foot area sensor, which is described in detail during the tour. It explains how in the reception area prisoners are given vests, underwear, trousers, a shirt, jumper, razors, toothbrushes and soap. It is here that prisoners are given a prisoner identification number and where prisoners are brought to a committal area overnight before being moved into the general prison population.
Screengrab from a virtual tour of Midlands Prison PICTURED: Virtual Assistant who details what each area of the Prison is for
A reception officer interviews the prisoner here - where they must provide their name, address, date of birth, next of kin, occupation and religious belief. Prison officers take note of prisoner's weight, height and any marks on their body in this area - and prisoners are then sent for a shower. The public can also view the part of the reception area where new inmates are first photographed - allowing staff to easily identify them. Members of the public can now see the very halls that these prisoners walk down - the kitchens they work in, the canteen they eat in to the pool table and gym they have access to. As the tour progresses, the public can see inside what's known as 'The Circle' - where multiple landings of the Midlands Prison are in view above. It is the centre of the prison and is the one place where all other areas of the complex can be easily accessed. The kitchen, workshop and horticulture areas are also viewable on the tour - as well as the library. A landing is also shown on the tour - showing off multiple cells and access to recreation and yard areas. The recreational activities available within the prison include pool, football, table tennis and television. The tour of a cell also shows off a button on the wall that can be pushed if a prisoner needs to alert an officer for assistance. It shows off a monitored in-cell telephone which allows prisoners to keep in contact with family, psychologists, drug treatment counsellors and chaplains. The virtual tour is to be launched today alongside the Irish Prison Service and Department of Justice's 2025 recruitment campaign for prison officers. Speaking at the launch, Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan said: "I look forward to welcoming the recruits of 2025. The Government is committed to ensuring that all prison officers are empowered and equipped to lead rewarding careers that make a real difference. "This year's campaign is a vital part of a much wider investment in our prison systems. Prison officers are at the heart of our justice system and have the potential to positively impact the lives of some of Ireland's most vulnerable people, as well as Irish society as a whole. "I am also pleased to launch the Virtual Prison Tour. This innovative project not only greatly enhances the public's understanding of the work that goes on within our Prisons, its release now also allows potential future recruits to come and tour their potential future workplace." The Prison Service aims to recruit 300 prison officers in 2025 and its competition will be run through the Public Appointments Service on behalf of the Irish Prison Service. Caron McCaffrey, Director General of the Irish Prison Service, added: "The Recruit Prison Officer campaign is a vital opportunity to attract individuals who are committed to public service and rehabilitation, and who will play a central role in maintaining safe and secure prison environments. "The incredible work of Prison Officers is complex and often hidden from public view, but our annual competition and the launch of the virtual tour allow us the opportunity to let the public see the team work, integrity, potential, safety and support that Prison Officers not only offer to prisoners, but to their colleagues as well. "I wish to commend all those involved in delivering the Virtual Tour, an innovative and informative project that highlights the professionalism and dedication of our staff across the prison estate. These initiatives are key steps in strengthening public understanding of our work and attracting committed individuals to a challenging yet rewarding career." The 2024 recruitment campaign attracted more than 1,500 applicants and 271 prison officers joining the Irish Prison Service. The 2025 Recruit Prison Officer Competition will remain open until August 1, 2025. Information on the competition and how to apply, and to access the tour can be found on the Irish Prison Service website at https://www.irishprisons.ie/. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
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