Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan has praised the energy, integrity and dedication of Prison Service Director Michael Donnellan who bows out after seven years in office.

Donnellan was reappointed for a second five-year term in January 2017. He previously served as Director of the Probation Service.

Minister Flanagan said “I want to pay a warm tribute to Michael Donnellan.

“Since my appointment as Minister, I have witnessed Michael’s progressive and compassionate approach first hand.

'Culture change'

“He has led a significant culture change in the penal system as well as delivering infrastructural improvements to the prison environment and championing a joined-up approach to the management of offenders. 

“Michael has overseen a reduction in the number of prisoners on restricted regime and worked with the Probation Service to deliver important prisoner rehabilitation initiatives,” said the Minister.

From 2011 to 2017 Ireland reduced its prison population by 16 per cent.

The number of prisoners on temporary release plunged from 997 in February 2012, to 234 today.  

Michael Donnellan won the International Corrections and Prisons Association’s Head of Service Award last year.

“Michael’s personal leadership has contributed enormously to the improvement of our prison service and he will be missed by all his colleagues in the criminal justice system,” said the Minister.

Apart from his work in the prison and probation services, he also served as director of two youth detention schools in Dublin.

He spent his early career in child and adult psychiatry and spent some time in London working as a social worker, before returning to Ireland in 1994.