Parliamentary Question: Prison Visiting Committees

4th February 2003

366. Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of reports of abuses in the prisons observed or found by prison visiting committees and reported to him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2314/03]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell): As I have previously explained, 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 have free access either collectively or individually to every part of their 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. The committees also submit annual reports to me which are, subject to certain restrictions on the release of information of a personal nature, released to individuals who request them directly from my Department. Since I was appointed Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on 6 June 2002, no abuses have been reported to me by the prison visiting committees.