Parliamentary Question: Prison Visiting Committees

29th January 2003

862. Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform having regard to the evolution of the legal and penal systems since 1926, his views on whether a useful purpose is served by the Prisons (Visiting Committees) Act, 1925; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2144/03]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell): As I previously explained to the Deputy, a visiting committee is appointed to each prison under the Prisons (Visiting Committees) Act, 1925 and Prisons (Visiting Committees) Order, 1925.

The function of visiting committees is to visit at frequent intervals the prison to which they are appointed and hear any complaints which may be made to them by any prisoner. They report to me any abuses observed or found by them in the prison and any repairs which they think may be urgently needed. The visiting committee has free access either collectively or individually to every part of its prison. In inspecting prisons, the visiting committees focus on issues such as the quality of accommodation and the catering, medical, educational and welfare services and recreational facilities.

Members of committees are appointed by the Minister for a term not exceeding three years. At that point they are automatically removed from the committee and are either re-appointed for a further term or are replaced by new members. The maximum number that can be appointed for each institution is 12. Each committee elects its own chairperson.

There are no specific criteria used in selecting individuals for appointment. The composition of each committee is drawn from as wide a spectrum as possible to ensure that the needs of prisoners are understood and met. This is the long standing practice used by successive Ministers in appointing members to the prisons visiting committees.

Members of visiting committees receive no remuneration. Vouched expenses for travel and subsistence are paid, on the authorisation of the Prison Governor, in line with Civil Service rates.

While an inspector of Prisons and Places of Detention was appointed in April last, his terms of reference do not include the hearing of individual prisoner complaints, which is an important function of the prison visiting committees.

The visiting committees perform a valuable service and I take this opportunity to thank them for their efforts and hard work.