15th October 2003
82. Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of drug seizures in prisons and juvenile detention centres here over the past five years; and the breakdown by institution. [23208/03]
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell): The statistical information requested by the Deputy is not available. To attempt to compile this material would entail examination of a large number of records going back over the last five years. Even then, it is probable that seizures of drugs or suspected drugs would be recorded under the generic description of "prohibited articles/substances" and not separately classified.
However, the Irish Prison Service has been moving in recent years towards centralised record systems based on the use of information technology. Considerable progress has already been made in this area and further work is underway at present. A number of areas, including those which are the subject of the Deputy's question, are under active consideration.
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.