30th September 2004
227. Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the most common diseases or illnesses affecting the prison population; and the health information or campaigns which are provided for prisoners in relation to these diseases or illnesses. [23155/04]
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell): Research on prisoners health status, which was commissioned by the Department of Justice, Equality, and Law Reform and carried out by the department of health promotion at NUI Galway, was published in 2000. Entitled General Healthcare Study of the Irish Prisoner Population, the study indicated that prisoners reported overall poorer levels of health compared to the general population. In particular, indicators of mental health were significantly worse among prisoners and prisoners showed higher levels of drug and alcohol abuse relative to the general population.
Within the health care resources available, steps are taken to provide prisoners with health care related information which would serve to assist them in following a healthier lifestyle. Any information in written form provided as part of public health awareness campaigns is generally made available to prisoners, either through health care sources or in prison libraries.\
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.