asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that an attempt is being made to treat certain prisoners in Mountjoy and Limerick as criminals because they will not wear prison clothes or work with criminals; that those prisoners were, until recently, allowed only two hours' recreation in every twenty-four hours and now only four hours' recreation in every twenty-four hours; that they are locked in solitary confinement in their cells for the rest of the day; that they are not allowed visits, letters or parcels; that the wife of one of those men was not permitted to see her husband after travelling from the country to visit him; and if he will instruct the Governor that the prisoners in question should be allowed free association away from other prisoners and that no attempt should be made to impose criminal status on them.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Treatment of Prisoners.
54.
There is no person in custody who is being treated otherwise than in accordance with the rules and regulations applicable to his case.
I do not say for one moment the Minister is responsible but the persons to whom I refer are not bank robbers or other criminals and should be allowed free association. Will the Minister do as I ask in the question?
Are these prisoners not to be let out?
Most of them will be out by Saturday.