Shelton Abbey Open Centre

Shelton Abbey Open Centre (from now on “Shelton Abbey”) is an open, low-security prison in Arklow, on the southeast coast of Ireland. It falls under the jurisdiction of the Irish prison service and was founded in 1973. Shelton Abbey is, on the one hand, known for their unique location. The estate was owned by the Earls of Wicklow in the past but they had to sell it to the Irish state due to financial problems. This is why it is a very large, vast domain with an abbey building that houses the detention facility. On the other hand, this detention facility is known for their Dogs for the Disabled programme.

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SMALL-SCALE

Shelton Abbey can accommodate 115 people. The facility consists of two different units, the main building and the Avoca House. The Avoca House has mostly single rooms and accommodates people with long sentences. People with other sentences are housed in the main building, which has dormitory-style accommodations.

SMALL-scale

Shelton Abbey can accommodate 115 people. The facility consists of two different units, the main building and the Avoca House. The Avoca House has mostly single rooms and accommodates people with long sentences. People with other sentences are housed in the main building, which has dormitory-style accommodations.

about

Shelton Abbey can accommodate 115 people. The facility consists of two different units, the main building and the Avoca House. The Avoca House has mostly single rooms and accommodates people with long sentences. People with other sentences are housed in the main building, which has dormitory-style accommodations.

Shelton Abbey Open Centre is a:

Open detention facility

for:

115 PEOPLE,
Men

Indicated principles:

Community-integrated, Differentiated

Shelton Abbey Open Centre is a:

Open detention facility

for:

115 PEOPLE,
Men

Indicated principles:

Community-integrated, Differentiated

Shelton Abbey Open Centre is a:

Open detention facility

for:

115 PEOPLE,
Men

Indicated principles:

Community-integrated, Differentiated

DIFFERENTIATION

The target group of Shelton Abbey are men aged nineteen years and older who are deemed to need lower levels of security.

Shelton Abbey encourages active participation among its residents within a structured daily routine. The open center encourages residents to immerse themselves in community life and participate in various activities inside and outside the facility. The daily schedule varies depending on individual residents and their chosen activities, including work, education and sports. It is mandatory to participate in activities. Residents can participate in several work activities, inside and outside the facility. Inside the facility, this can be farm work, garden work or working in a barber shop, car wash, bike repair shop or coffee shop. Furthermore, an education and training unit provides learning opportunities in the facility, covering subjects like art, English, woodworking, driving classes, languages, and more.

COMMUNITY-INTEGRATION

Despite the fact that Shelton Abbey is located about three kilometres from the centre of Arklow, there is still interaction with the community. On the one hand, residents can leave the facility for work or education in the community. Some residents leave the facility every day to work in the community with their employer partners. On the other hand, the facility gives great importance to community support. Residents contribute to the Dogs for the Disabled program and in rearing calves for export to Africa as part of the Bóthar project. The facility also offers vocational opportunities such as bicycle repair services and a coffee shop. Lastly, their involvement in the Darkness into Light run reflects their commitment to mental health causes.

Differentiation

The target group of Shelton Abbey are men aged nineteen years and older who are deemed to need lower levels of security.

Shelton Abbey encourages active participation among its residents within a structured daily routine. The open center encourages residents to immerse themselves in community life and participate in various activities inside and outside the facility. The daily schedule varies depending on individual residents and their chosen activities, including work, education and sports. It is mandatory to participate in activities. Residents can participate in several work activities, inside and outside the facility. Inside the facility, this can be farm work, garden work or working in a barber shop, car wash, bike repair shop or coffee shop. Furthermore, an education and training unit provides learning opportunities in the facility, covering subjects like art, English, woodworking, driving classes, languages, and more.

Community-integration

Despite the fact that Shelton Abbey is located about three kilometres from the centre of Arklow, there is still interaction with the community. On the one hand, residents can leave the facility for work or education in the community. Some residents leave the facility every day to work in the community with their employer partners. On the other hand, the facility gives great importance to community support. Residents contribute to the Dogs for the Disabled program and in rearing calves for export to Africa as part of the Bóthar project. The facility also offers vocational opportunities such as bicycle repair services and a coffee shop. Lastly, their involvement in the Darkness into Light run reflects their commitment to mental health causes.

Visited during the wish-eu project

Despite the fact that Shelton Abbey is located about three kilometres from the centre of Arklow, there is still interaction with the community. On the one hand, residents can leave the facility for work or education in the community. Some residents leave the facility every day to work in the community with their employer partners. On the other hand, the facility gives great importance to community support. Residents contribute to the Dogs for the Disabled program and in rearing calves for export to Africa as part of the Bóthar project. The facility also offers vocational opportunities such as bicycle repair services and a coffee shop. Lastly, their involvement in the Darkness into Light run reflects their commitment to mental health causes.
more information

the Irish prison service

Shelton Abbey Open Centre

Report Shelton Abbey Open Centre

English report

Visited by Prison Insider and RESCALED (20-03-2023)

RESCALED

the Irish prison service

Shelton Abbey Open Centre

Report Shelton Abbey Open Centre

Report

Visit

Visited by Prison Insider and RESCALED (20-03-2023)

WISH-EU

the Irish prison service

Shelton Abbey Open Centre

Report Shelton Abbey Open Centre

Report

Visited by Prison Insider and RESCALED (20-03-2023)

RESCALED

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"Shaping the future, a 1000 originals”

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