Parliamentary Question: Penal Reform Trust Report

25th February 2003

441. Ms McManus asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the recent Irish Penal Reform Trust report, Out of Sight Out of Mind, highlighting the acute problems of responsibility for mentally ill prisoners with serious personality disorders; the treatment available to these prisoners; the number of medical and para-medical staff employed within the Prison Service to treat those mentally ill prisoners with personality disorders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5554/03]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell): I am aware of the report to which the Deputy referred.
I am informed by expert advisors that there is significant difference between mental illness and personality disorder. While mental illness falls within the remit of psychiatry in relation to assessment and treatment, the situation regarding what is commonly referred to as personality disorder is much less clear. I understand there is significant professional dispute regarding the 'treatability' of such disorder, particularly in the short term.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Mental Health Act, 2001, which addresses various matters in relation to the detention and treatment in community psychiatric facilities of persons with mental illness, specifically excludes a diagnosis of personality disorder as a grounds for compulsory detention for treatment.
While there are no medical or para-medical staff employed within the Prison Service specifically to treat those mentally ill prisoners with personality disorders, all prisoners with mental health problems have access to medical, nursing, psychiatric, and psychology services within the prison system. Where in-patient treatment is indicated as appropriate by qualified medical practitioners, prisoners may be transferred to the Central Mental Hospital, Dundrum.