Parliamentary Question: Prison Service

16th October 2003

168. Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will as a matter of urgency investigate the case of a person (details supplied) incarcerated in Castlerea Prison, who is being kept in an isolation cell; and if he will communicate with the prison authorities the urgent need to remove this person from isolation and to transfer them to the Central Mental Hospital for treatment on an urgent basis. [23817/03]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell): The director general of the Irish Prison Service has informed me that the person referred to by the Deputy was seen in recent times by the prison psychiatrist and staff from the Central Mental Hospital. These medical professionals have informed the governor of Castlerea Prison that their conclusion is that this person is not suffering from any form of psychosis and that there is no medical reason or need for him to be moved to the Central Mental Hospital. The director general has also advised me that this person is currently accommodated in the special care unit of Castlerea Prison where he has access to daily recreation if he wishes to avail of it and not an isolation cell as the Deputy has stated. He was also offered a move to the main landings or the grove area of the prison and I am informed that he has declined each of these proposals.