Parliamentary Question: Prison Visiting Committees

13th February 2003

171. Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of cases of abuse within the prison system observed or found by prison visiting committees and reported to his predecessor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4189/03]

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.

Their function is to visit, at frequent intervals, the prison to which they are appointed and hear any complaints which may be made to them by prisoners. 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 committees has free access, either collectively or individually, to every part of their prison. In inspecting prisons the committees focus on issues such as the quality of accommodation and the catering, medical, educational and welfare services and recreational facilities. They 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.
In regard to the number of abuses reported by the prison visiting committees during the term of office of my predecessor, allegations of abuse made by a prisoner were examined by the Limerick prison visiting committee in May 2000. The conclusions of the committee were then referred to my Department. The matter was further investigated by an official of this Department and a response to the committee was issued in July 2000 on my predecessor's behalf.