asked the Minister for Justice how many disturbances have occurred in (a) Mountjoy Prison, (b) Portlaoise Prison and (c) Limerick Prison in the three years ended 31st March, 1972.
26.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Prison Disturbances.
25.
asked the Minister for Justice if an investigation has been carried out into the causes of disturbances in prisons; if so, what the findings were; and what steps, if any, were taken to remove the causes of such disturbances.
27.
asked the Minister for Justice how many prison officers were injured in disturbances in prisons in the three years ended 31st March, 1972; and the total cost of repair to property damaged in each disturbance.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 to 27 together.
In the three years ended 31st March, 1972, four disturbances occurred in Mountjoy Prison, one in Portlaoise Prison and one in Limerick Prison.
Nine prison officers were injured and repair to damaged property was of the order of £4,000.
The disturbances were investigated as a matter of course by my Department and by the Visiting Committees of the respective prisons. In one instance the disturbance was intended to divert attention from a planned attempt by long term prisoners to escape. In the other instances the disturbances were nothing more than roof-climbing escapades or by prisoners seeking notoriety or deliberate disruptiveness by recidivist prisoners. Notwithstanding what was said subsequently by one or two of those involved, in no instance were the disturbances related to prison conditions.
I would regret if the prospect of having their misconduct aired in the House was an incentive to dangerous criminals who are prepared to embark on destruction and to endanger the lives of prison staff.