Parliamentary Question: Padded Cells at Castlerea

3rd June 2004

181. Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the 12 May 2004 report in a newspaper (details supplied) which quoted a prison physician at Castlerea stating that prisoners can be left in padded cells for two to four weeks at a time; the number of persons confined to padded cells at Castlerea in the past 12 months; the longest period of continuous confinement in a padded cell at Castlerea during that time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17130/04]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell):  I am informed that from 1 June 2003 to 31 May 2004, a total of 41 prisoners were detained in the padded cell at Castlerea Prison. Of this total, nine prisoners were detained in this cell on more than one occasion. The duration of being so detained varied from two hours to a maximum of five days. Only one prisoner spent a five day period in the cell and in the majority of cases the duration was one day or less. The sort of prolonged detentions referred to in the Deputy's question did not happen. It is important to note that these special cells are not used for routine detention or punishment purposes. In contrast, they are only used in cases where a prisoner is in a highly agitated state and where he is at risk of harming himself or others.

An implementation group set up in the prison service to determine the most appropriate redesign for the traditional padded cells and other related matters has completed its deliberations and have presented revised guidelines for the future use of these cells. The cell in Castlerea Prison will be replaced in accordance with the revised guidelines.