Parliamentary Question: Prisons Inspectorate Reports

22nd February 2007

 19. Mr. Gogarty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action he will take to address the Irish Prisons Inspectorate Report on Castlerea Prison (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6865/07]

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell): The Inspector of Prisons and Places of Detention recently submitted a report to me on a visit he carried out in Castlerea Prison. In his report the Inspector concluded that the prison is well managed. However, as well as pointing out a number of areas where there have been significant positive developments, he did raise some issues where further improvements could be made. I am happy to say that some of the issues raised by the Inspector have already been progressed and the Irish Prison Service is endeavouring to deal with the others as quickly as practicable.

The Irish Prison Service has made significant efforts in recent years to recruit a psychologist for Castlerea Prison. A recruitment competition in 2006 identified a suitable candidate for the post; regrettably however, that candidate withdrew from the competition prior to appointment. Efforts to source psychological services on an inreach basis from the local health services have also been unsuccessful to date. Efforts are continuing to be made to source an appropriate service for this prison and consideration is still being given to all options, including contracting services on a sessional basis. The employment of full-time psychologists for the prison still remains the optimal approach.

The experience of Castlerea Prison is indicative of the tight labour market in which the Service continues to operate. In the market for psychologists the Irish Prison Service is in competition with other public bodies when trying to attract recruits. Prison presents a very challenging environment to work in and understandably some psychologists prefer to work in the community.

In order to broaden the base from which the Service can draw, the Irish Prison Service in recent years has recruited both Forensic and Counselling Psychologists, where previously only Clinical Psychologists had been recruited. While this has broadened the base somewhat, the pool of suitable candidates remains small and recent recruitment competitions have involved many applicants who work outside of Ireland.

I have been informed that the computer workshop was only closed for a period of two to three weeks due to staff changes on promotion, and this coincided with the Inspector's visit. The Irish Prison Service have confirmed that the short closure period was unavoidable and that it is currently fully operational.

Certain issues arose which prevented Roscommon County Council from proceeding with the recruitment of a full-time librarian for Castlerea Prison. I understand these issues are now resolved and the recruitment is now proceeding.

One Probation Officer is currently allocated to work full-time in Castlerea Prison. The Probation Officer assigned to Castlerea Prison is carrying out valuable work in the prison, including addressing issues impacting on offending behaviour, prisoner assessments and preparing offenders for release and reintegration in their communities. I can advise the Deputy that a strategic action of the Probation Service in its Strategy Statement 2006-2007 is to, inter alia, "refocus services to prisons and prisoners". The Probation Service is currently reviewing all operational Probation Service resources, including that provided in Castlerea.