asked the Minister for Justice if he will consider increasing the number of welfare visits available to prisoners in Portlaoise Prison as the present limit of six per year is insufficient to meet the needs of either the prisoners or their wives and children.
Written Answers. - Visits to Portlaoise Prison.
804.
Limerick East): Welfare visits, which take place in the presence of a welfare officer, are allowed to prisoners in Portlaoise in cases of domestic difficulty. In addition, up to six “open” visits a year will be allowed to each prisoner, in the course of which he may also have physical contact with his visitors. The limitation on the number of such visits is due to the strain they impose on resources and to the requirements of security.