A Prison Visiting Committee is appointed to each prison under the Prisons (Visiting Committees) Act 1925 and Prisons (Visiting Committees) Order 1925. Its role is to supervise the treatment of prisoners. It hears complaints from prisoners and reports to the Minister on any abuses it finds. The Visiting Committee has free access to every part of the prison. In inspecting prisons, the Visiting Committees focus on issues such as the quality of accommodation and catering; medical, educational and welfare services; and recreational facilities.

This is a closed, medium security prison for adult males. It is the committal prison for counties Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly and Westmeath.