Parliamentary Question: Prison Accommodation

15th October 2003

89. Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps being taken to address the serious shortcomings in prisons identified in the report of the Inspector of Prisons and Places of Detention; the steps being taken to deal with the criticism of his Department and the Irish Prison Service by the inspector, which he said were slow to provide him with information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23365/03]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell): In his first annual report, the Inspector of Prisons and Places of Detention made a substantial number of recommendations aimed at improving the services and conditions in prisons generally, as well as specific recommendations in relation to the particular prisons he inspected. Some of the recommendations are short-term in nature and some are more long-term, e.g., the replacement of accommodation at Mountjoy and Portlaoise Prisons.

My Department and the Irish Prison Service are taking account of the recommendations of the inspector, with a view to implementing them where possible and as resources permit. Several of the more straightforward recommendations have already been implemented - emergency lighting has been upgraded in Cloverhill Prison and the new education unit there will open on 1 December, toilet and wash areas in Mountjoy and Portlaoise Prisons are being renovated and regular fire drills are being carried out at Limerick Prison. Efforts are continuing to fill the vacancy for a medical officer at Portlaoise Prison and a recruitment competition to fill vacancies for psychologists will take place shortly.

As regards the inspector's longer-term recommendations, I indicated in response to Parliamentary Question No. 5 on today's Order Paper that I am considering the views of the chairman and members of the Prisons Authority Interim Board about the future of Mountjoy Prison. Meanwhile, phase one of the complete renovation of Portlaoise Prison is already underway and tenders will be invited shortly for the provision of new prisoner accommodation there. This will result in the closure of the outdated accommodation in the D and E blocks which were the subject of critical comment by the inspector.

The inspector's recommendations for legal and systematic change, such as granting of temporary release for remand prisoners in special circumstances and improved communication of information from the courts and the gardaí at the time of committal of persons to prison, are being considered in my Department and the Irish Prison Service. It is proposed to discuss a number of possible follow-up options with the inspector in the near future.

As regards the flow of information to the inspector, arrangements are in place whereby officials of my Department and the Irish Prison Service meet with the inspector as necessary and forward to him all relevant written material. I hope that the inspector will regard these arrangements as satisfactory.