3D virtual tour Laois jails and other prisons in pipeline

Have you ever wondered what life is like for prisoner officers and inmates behind the high walls of Laois jails?

Well, the Irish Prison Service believes it is going to be able to satisfy that curiosity with a new prison project which it says will give the public a virtual insight into prisons in Portlaoise and other parts of Ireland.

The Service also wants to use the technology to help to prepare criminals who are jailed for the first time for life behind bars.

"The Irish Prison Service will be launching a 360° 3D virtual prison tour where the public, for the first time, will be able to see and travel within a live operational prison.

"This new initiative follows the Criminal Justice Sectoral Strategy 2022 – 2024 commitment to increase public awareness and understanding of the criminal justice system, develop a structured form of engagement with our key stakeholders to support the development of services and the formulation of policy," says the Service.

It adds that this initiative builds on the commitment to join-up the criminal justice system that "protects human rights, builds public confidence and trust, and works together to improve efficiency and the experience of stakeholders to support a safe, fair and inclusive Ireland".

The Service explains that it will also have a practical application for criminals or others being sent to jail for the first time. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Inside the Midlands Prison.

"With the ability to see a prison in advance, it will help address issues for vulnerable people, people coming into custody for the first time, people visiting prisons with a disabilities, educating young people and the various people that interact with the prison service on a day to day basis," it said.

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The Irish Prison Service runs two jails in Laois - the high-security Portlaoise Prison and the Midlands Prison.