Minister for Justice Michael McDowell announced today he has allocated €4 million to the prison service for the refurbishment and installation of new observation cells.
There are two new types of cells - Safety Observation Cells, which replace padded cells, and close observation cells, which are modern version of old strip cells.
The safety observation cells have been refitted at a cost of €110,000 with a Gold Medal material, a window for natural light, a small toilet and TV behind a protective glass screen. It also contains a door with two large glass panels which allows prison officers to observe inmates who would have previously hidden under the small observation hatch in the door of the old cells.
The close observation cells have been installed at a cost of €130,000 and contain another protective material and similar fittings.
Mr McDowell today visited the six new cells in use in Cloverhill Prison.
"From my first visit to Mountjoy as Minister, I was shocked at the conditions in which people were being detained and expressed my determination to eliminate the old style padded cells," he said. "These new facilities are humane, hygienic and meet with international best practice.
"We are dealing with patients here who are in nearly every case, psychiatrically ill or are in a deep psychological trauma and there is no reason to treat them in any way less favourably than other prisoners, save to the extent that it is necessary for their own safety," he said.
Some 20 cells have been completed, while a further 13 are due to be ready within the next few months.
The new padded cells have been installed in Mountjoy prison despite the fact that it is due to be demolished within the next three years. There will also be new padded cells in Wheatfield and Arbourhill prisons in Dublin, Cork prison and Limerick prison.
Statistics released earlier this year show that prisoners were placed in solitary confinement or padded cells 1,168 times last year and 558 times up to the end of June this year, with most usage made by Mountjoy Prison and St Patrick's Institution for young offenders.
Last year padded cells were used 401 times in Mountjoy, 27 times fewer than in 2003 and 228 times up to June this year.
In St Patrick's Institution, padded and strip cells were used 221 times last year, compared to 178 times in 2003 and 80 times this year.