Parliamentary Question: Prison Visiting Committees.

21st October 2004

189. Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has compared or has plans to compare the prison visiting regime here against others in North American jurisdictions and the EU; and if he has plans to make changes that are in the best interests of prisoners' children, or in view of obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights Act 2003 with regard to the right to family life. [25976/04]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell): 

I am aware of differing prison visiting arrangements in other jurisdictions, some of which are more restrictive and some of which are less restrictive than those operating in Ireland. I am satisfied that the existing regime in this jurisdiction does not conflict with the current recommendations of the Council of Europe as set out in the recommendations on the European prison rules.

Visits are a fundamental part of helping prisoners to maintain family bonds and relationships during their time in custody. However, it must also be recognised that there are necessary restraints that must exist in relation to the length of time and contact allowed during prison visits. Unfortunately, experience has shown that efforts are made on a daily basis to pass contraband such as drugs to inmates during visits. Some unscrupulous individuals have even used young children in an attempt to pass drugs. I am not going to revise prison visiting arrangements in a manner which would worsen this problem.