asked the Minister for Justice if he intends improving on the manner in which families of prisoners receive information on the medical condition, visiting rights and general position of their incarcerated relatives. For instance, relatives have arrived at the Curragh to be informed that their son, brother, has been in the prison hospital for some time previously.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Information to Prisoners' Relatives.
5.
I am not aware that there is any deficiency in the standing arrangements which would call for intervention by me. In general, it is a matter for the person in custody to inform his relatives of the fact that he is in custody and of any other relevant details and he is afforded facilities for so doing. He may not wish to do so, in which case his wishes are respected by the prison authorities. In certain cases, of course, it would be appropriate for the prison authorities to take the initiative in contacting a prisoner's next of kin, for example, if he became seriously ill, and they would do so.
I understand that the arrangements in regard to persons detained in the Military Detention Barracks, Curragh Camp, are similar to those in the other prisons. It is not the practice of the authorities there to notify next of kin as a matter of course that a person has been transferred to the General Military Hospital in the camp, unless, of course, he is seriously ill, and, in any case, the hospital is situated in close proximity to the barracks.
Is the Minister aware that under the statutory orders governing the visiting committees to prisons, when a prisoner is hospitalised members of that committee may not visit him? Would the Minister consider changing these procedures because they do not work in the interest of the governor, of the visiting committee or of the prisoner?
I will be delighted to look into that, but the Deputy will appreciate that there are certain situations that might arise — for instance, medical supervision might require a certain situation while on the other hand there might be the question of security having regard to where the hospital is located.