The Governor of Castlerea Prison is hopeful the development of a new equine unit at the jail will help provide greater opportunities for inmates to turn their lives around.
Six prisoners and one staff member are currently working with several horses as part of a new initiative to upskill prisoners for the outside world.
The project was initially launched in 2019, with work completed on the ten-bay unit adjacent to the Roscommon prison earlier this year.
Advertisement
It has received support from some of the top figures in Irish horse racing circles including trainer Aidan O'Brien.
Governor Anthony Shally told Shannonside FM the prison is hoping to offer an opportunity to break the cycle of criminality to inmates
