Limerick Prison spends over €10,000 on footballs

grenache

More great usage of tax payers' money. As long as criminals can have their ball and play, I'll sleep soundly in my bed at night.


http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/local/limerick-prison-spends-10-000-on-new-footballs-for-inmates-1-4099240

gammygils

Did they buy any bananas?

J. Marston

“We don’t have a figure on how many balls were bought. It is the case that they play out in the yard where there are little soccer pitches marked out; they boot them up and they can get stuck on the razor wire. We do go through a lot of footballs,” the spokesman said.

The poor fellas.

Jesus Wept

They'll be out at some point, keep that in mind.

Richard Hillman

Maybe they're just really bad at football

Cookie_Monster

How about telling them that if they kick it against the razor wire, tough. They just have to wait until next month for a new one.

grenache

Andy Carroll wrote: »

They'll be out at some point, keep that in mind.

What point you trying to make? Regardless of when they get out, Its a waste of money, that could be better spent on people and services who actually deserve it.

Andy Carroll

Andy Carroll wrote: »

They'll be out at some point, keep that in mind.

Nah it's better to treat them all like animals, they'll definitely come out ready to find gainful employment and be more socialised than before they went in.

bpb101

there probable buying only the best too,

Cookie_Monster

Deleted User wrote: »

Nah it's better to treat them all like animals, they'll definitely come out ready to find gainful employment and be more socialised than before they went in.

10k could buy a lot more useful stuff to keep them occupied than poxy footballs that last 2 days.

Cookie_Monster

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

10k could buy a lot more useful stuff to keep them occupied than poxy footballs that last 2 days.

Pretty sure the 10k kept quite a few of them occupited for a year rather than 2 years.

WhimSock

Using those figures for cheap balls just doesn't bounce.

Chucken

Deleted User wrote: »

Nah it's better to treat them all like animals, they'll definitely come out ready to find gainful employment and be more socialised than before they went in.

:pac::pac::pac:


ps. I would buy my dogs footballs, they deserve them.

kerry4sam

grenache wrote: »

More great usage of tax payers' money. As long as criminals can have their ball and play, I'll sleep soundly in my bed at night.


http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/local/limerick-prison-spends-10-000-on-new-footballs-for-inmates-1-4099240

Cheers for the linky but I don't begrudge them soccer balls tbh! Jeez like,

“They have proper footballs and basketballs for the indoor games in the gym but the balls they use out in the yard aren’t the best. I don’t think Ronaldo would be happy with them. They are the light plastic yellow balls you might see on the beach. You’d get them in a pound shop. You’d be embarrassed to bring one home to your kid,” said the source.

They'd want something to help pass the time in there during the little time they'd be eligible for sporting activities. They're all still only human!

Chucken

kerry4sam wrote: »

Cheers for the linky.... They're all still only human!

You reckon??

Take a stroll (or a drive would be safer) down the lane beside the prison on certain days and you'll see what the footballs are used for.
Out they go....back they go...

kerry4sam

Chucken wrote: »

You reckon??

Take a stroll (or a drive would be safer) down the lane beside the prison on certain days and you'll see what the footballs are used for.
Out they go....back they go...

yes I do reckon!

I don't need to stroll or drive anywhere thanks & I stand over my comment in saying Prison in-mates are still only human

Jesus Wept

grenache wrote: »

What point you trying to make? Regardless of when they get out, Its a waste of money, that could be better spent on people and services who actually deserve it.

Deleted User wrote: »

Nah it's better to treat them all like animals, they'll definitely come out ready to find gainful employment and be more socialised than before they went in.

My point as above is that they are going to be walking the same streets as you, me and our loved ones before long (regardless of whether you'd throw away the key or not.).

Leaving them in solitary confinement/without access to exercise/knowledge/ socialise/have a tv/whatever is just going to further increase the chance that they will cave your head in or whatever they are into when they do get out.

SniperSight

Such horsesh*t!!
Obey the law and be a decent human being and you get the privilege of paying for your own gym membership and sporting/leisure goods.
Break the law and cause people misery and suffering and it'll be provided off the backs of said decent people.

I'm human too, the government don't buy me footballs, so I don't see how that arguement washes!! Its supposed to be fu*king prison, not a bleedin' holiday camp!!

mackg

Andy Carroll wrote: »

My point as above is that they are going to be walking the same streets as you, me and our loved ones before long (regardless of whether you'd throw away the key or not.).

Leaving them in solitary confinement/without access to exercise/knowledge/ socialise/have a tv/whatever is just going to further increase the chance that they will cave your head in or whatever they are into when they do get out.

Also they could use the prisons as academies for the LOI clubs. Could only benefit the national team in the long run. Good money spinner too, look at all the clubs that took a punt on Joey Barton.

Jesus Wept

SniperSight wrote: »

Such horsesh*t!!
Obey the law and be a decent human being and you get the privilege of paying for your own gym membership and sporting/leisure goods.
Break the law and cause people misery and suffering and it'll be provided off the backs of said decent people.

I'm human too, the government don't buy me footballs, so I don't see how that arguement washes!! Its supposed to be fu*king prison, not a bleedin' holiday camp!!

lol.

Would you be willing to relocate to Limerick if given the option?
You'll get a free gym membership and unlimited footballs.

Chucken

kerry4sam wrote: »

yes I do reckon!

I don't need to stroll or drive anywhere thanks & I stand over my comment in saying Prison in-mates are still only human

Sure, they are of the human species. I'll leave it at that.

When you figure out why the footballs go back and forth over the wire you might understand where Im coming from.

Next time a "scumbag" thread starts here in AH's.. remember, these are the super scumbag "humans" that are locked up in Limerick prison.

SniperSight

Andy Carroll wrote: »

lol.

Would you be willing to relocate to Limerick if given the option?
You'll get a free gym membership and unlimited footballs.

I am in Limerick.

Jesus Wept

SniperSight wrote: »

I am in Limerick.

Handy enough, Limerick prison.
Will you move in? You get free gym membership + footballs. 3 square meals a day and all the orange drink you can ferment under your radiator.

SniperSight

Andy Carroll wrote: »

Handy enough, Limerick prison.
Will you move in? You get free gym membership + footballs. 3 square meals a day and all the orange drink you can ferment under your radiator.

I would, but I'm not too comfortable with what I'd have to do to get in.
I mean I could try horribly assaulting someone, but then my solictor would just tell the judge I was sorry, so that wouldn't work.
No, I guess I'm just gonna have to buy my own footballs.

Jesus Wept

SniperSight wrote: »

I would, but I'm not too comfortable with what I'd have to do to get in.
I mean I could try horribly assaulting spmeone, but then my solictor would just tell the judge I was sorry, so that wouldn't work.
No, I guess I'm just gonna have to buy my own footballs.

I don't think you would.

SniperSight

Andy Carroll wrote: »

I don't think you would.

You know what....you're astonishingly accurate there. Wouldn't like the neighbours.

Andy Carroll

Andy Carroll wrote: »

My point as above is that they are going to be walking the same streets as you, me and our loved ones before long (regardless of whether you'd throw away the key or not.).

Leaving them in solitary confinement/without access to exercise/knowledge/ socialise/have a tv/whatever is just going to further increase the chance that they will cave your head in or whatever they are into when they do get out.

That was my point, I just thought I'd use sarcasm to agree with you. :pac:

Chuck Stone

This is bureaucratic bull**** at its finest in my estimation. Why not just cover the play area in netting?

Btw football is a good way of allowing these guys to burn off energy - energy they might use attacking each other or prison staff.

Exercise is good for mental health too. It would be a stupid thing to deny prisoners of the opportunity to play fitba.

ScumLord

Chucken wrote: »

You reckon??

Take a stroll (or a drive would be safer) down the lane beside the prison on certain days and you'll see what the footballs are used for.
Out they go....back they go...

Oh my god, your not suggesting they're playing volleyball with soccer balls?!!

grenache

Andy Carroll wrote: »

Leaving them in solitary confinement/without access to exercise/knowledge/ socialise/have a tv/whatever is just going to further increase the chance that they will cave your head in or whatever they are into when they do get out.

Au contraire, mon ami. Giving them satellite tv, football and access to all the other luxuries in prison merely shows them that prison is more like a mini holiday camp. They actually like going back inside, I had two particularly nasty individuals boast to me how good prison was and how well they are treated. With the joke that is our justice system you can be sure they'll all be out early anyways.

Where as if prison was hard labour with time spent in solitary confinement where guards had free reign, these criminals might actually think twice before reoffending.

The justice system is soft on them. Why do you think there are so many thugs with 100+ convictions going in and out of jail every six months??!! I dealt with enough of these types in Limerick to know that our prisons are totally inadequate when it comes to punishment and character reformation.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

The article wrote:

... They are the light plastic yellow balls you might see on the beach. You’d get them in a pound shop. You’d be embarrassed to bring one home to your kid,” said the source...

So... 10,339 euro, on plastic yellow balloon-footballs... and the only got 700 of them...?

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

grenache wrote: »

The justice system is soft on them. Why do you think there are so many thugs with 100+ convictions going in and out of jail every six months??!! I dealt with enough of these types in Limerick to know that our prisons are totally inadequate when it comes to punishment and character reformation.

I believe he answered that question...?

If you're going to lock someone away for a period of time and then throw them out without any chance of a rehabilitated life, what do you think is goign to happen...? Character reformation is all very well, but how the **** does hard labour and solitary confinement achieve this?

Or am I fallign for the trollbait again?

JustAThought

totally unacceptable -a waste of taxpayers hard earned & an insult to victims of crime.

I agree totally. It's about time the bleeding hearters stopped running the shop & prison started being viewed as a deterrent.

This country panders to the scumbags & it needs to be stopped .

You won't catch 10 or 60k p.a. being spent on their victims.

This country is bankrupt . If s lightbulb blows in a streetlight we have to apply to borrow money from Europe to replace it. They are imposing extra taxes on those who actually work & contribute to " balance " this debt out.

10 k . On footballs ?
Disgusting.

Jesus Wept

Talk to Joe.

mackg

grenache wrote: »

Au contraire, mon ami. Giving them satellite tv, football and access to all the other luxuries in prison merely shows them that prison is more like a mini holiday camp. They actually like going back inside, I had two particularly nasty individuals boast to me how good prison was and how well they are treated. With the joke that is our justice system you can be sure they'll all be out early anyways.

Where as if prison was hard labour with time spent in solitary confinement where guards had free reign, these criminals might actually think twice before reoffending.

The justice system is soft on them. Why do you think there are so many thugs with 100+ convictions going in and out of jail every six months??!! I dealt with enough of these types in Limerick to know that our prisons are totally inadequate when it comes to punishment and character reformation.

Of the two people I know who have spent time in prison in Ireland neither have re offended since release and both are what you would call productive members of society.

If they like being in prison why don't they just spend their time in there attacking officers so they never get released at all?

On the subject of punishment, being in prison is the punishment. They have no freedom. Satellite T.V., gym access and a kickabout for two hours a day do not make for a happy life.

some random drunk

Just a few figures:

Amount spent on footballs in one year at Limerick prison: €10,339

Number of prisoners at Limerick Prison: 298 (source)

So how many plastic footballs can you buy for €10,339, even assuming you don't order direct from the manufacturer or negotiate a discount for purchasing in bulk?

Well, you could get 3,158 "Cup Champions" footballs (source)


Or you could get 5,291 light plastic balls (these ones seem to match the description in the article) (source)

So if you went with the "Cup Champions" balls that would be 10.5 balls per prisoner per year.
If you went with the light plastic balls that would be 17.75 balls per prisoner per year.


I don't think anyone could believe that an average of almost 18 balls are being bought for each prisoner, each year. Some "creative" accounting going on? If the guards aren't investigating, they should be.

CreepingDeath

Put chains on the prisoners legs so they can't kick the footballs too high.

BraziliaNZ

Honest to God I feel like I'm reading the Daily Mail. Is Ireland really this right wing?

Dyr

Give them those prison balls that are attached to chains, they won't be booting them up into the razor wire

listermint

BraziliaNZ wrote: »

Honest to God I feel like I'm reading the Daily Mail. Is Ireland really this right wing?

well not really,

but in fairness its dubious how an organisation can spend over 10 Grand on footballs for just 298 individuals ?

does that not sound suspicious irregardless of your stand point ?

mikemac1

Is the football supplier the brother of the governor?

Or something dodgy like that

CreepingDeath

mikemac1 wrote: »

Is the football supplier the brother of the governor?

Or something dodgy like that

Or the prisoners have a way of passing messages/drugs/illegal items over the wall inside the football.

BraziliaNZ

listermint wrote: »

well not really,

but in fairness its dubious how an organisation can spend over 10 Grand on footballs for just 298 individuals ?

does that not sound suspicious irregardless of your stand point ?

It does yeah, but we should know that our government spends far too much on everything and takes as much money as they like from the taxpayer by now, and we never do anything about it, that's just Ireland for you. Don't take it out on prisoners! You never know what could happen, a family member or even yourself could end up in the slammer some day. Bet you wont think yourself as subhuman then.

kirving

Aside from the fact that the numbers don't really add if they are only plastic rubbish, but I don't really care about a few footballs.

I don't really get the argument that it's wasted money. It's keeping the manufacturers, shop owners and delivery people in business, while also entertaining the prisoners so they're in a better mood. This reduces the chance of violence, and hence the number of guards required.

Cienciano

BraziliaNZ wrote: »

Honest to God I feel like I'm reading the Daily Mail. Is Ireland really this right wing?

You'd know if it was the Dail Mail website, it would have loads of pictures of reality TV "stars" in bikinis along the right hand side of the page, with an article saying they're either too fat or too thin

BraziliaNZ

Cienciano wrote: »

You'd know if it was the Dail Mail website, it would have loads of pictures of reality TV "stars" in bikinis along the right hand side of the page, with an article saying they're either too fat or too thin

I know, I get stuck there for hours sometimes judging people's bodies!!

Odysseus

Out of interest, can I ask any poster who is on the "it's not meant to be a holiday camp side" have any/many of you ever been inside an Irish jail? I have been in a good few and I have not seen any holiday camps yet.

Roadend

Odysseus wrote: »

Out of interest, can I ask any poster who is on the "it's not meant to be a holiday camp side" have any/many of you ever been inside an Irish jail? I have been in a good few and I have not seen any holiday camps yet.

Maybe you should seek another path, your criminal ways are costing us a fortune in footballs.

kupus

all i have to say on this is follow the money

Odysseus

Roadend wrote: »

Maybe you should seek another path, your criminal ways are costing us a fortune in footballs.

Never mind the balls, I got the tax payer to pay for my degree and matsers, that was better than a few balls;)

listermint

BraziliaNZ wrote: »

It does yeah, but we should know that our government spends far too much on everything and takes as much money as they like from the taxpayer by now, and we never do anything about it, that's just Ireland for you. Don't take it out on prisoners! You never know what could happen, a family member or even yourself could end up in the slammer some day. Bet you wont think yourself as subhuman then.

Okay, so it were back to the 'the other department get away with it so why cant we'

TBH this view doesnt cut it with me. Im not taking anything out on prisonsers but spending 10K on such a small amount of individuals is illogical. I dont know how you could reason this.

I mean we had 1000 Pupils in our school back in the day and we had the same 10 footballs for years, maybe replacing 2 a year.

and sod your nonsense about family or whatever but if one of my family ended up in limerick prison then they would have to deal with the conseqences of their actions. Alas my i was fortunate enough that my parents were brought up right as was their parents as was i.

Anyway back on point. If a ball is lost the prisoners have to buy their own, dont they get an allowance of some sort for work?

Why is a benefit to working not introduced or should we just have the same old same old hand outs ?