Parliamentary Question: Prison Accommodation

30th September 2003

1201. Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the Irish Penal Reform Trust's recent report on the introduction of safety observation cells for mentally ill and suicidal prisoners; his views on the finding that despite cosmetic improvements, these cells still do not bring the State into compliance with basic international standards and rules with respect to the treatment of the mentally ill, which require that such people be treated as patients in hospitals or other dedicated medical facilities; his further views on its finding that mentally ill and suicidal people in prison are still being held in solitary confinement as a matter of routine; and his further views on whether the practise of holding suicidal prisoners in solitary confinement should cease immediately. [20622/03]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell): As the Deputy may be aware, the Irish Penal Reform Trust and a number of other named individuals have initiated High Court proceedings against the Governor of Mountjoy Prison, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and others, relating to the use of padded cells in prisons and other issues relating to psychiatric treatment of prisoners. In view of this, it would be inappropriate of me to comment further at this time.