asked the Minister for Justice if he will consider special visiting arrangements for the family of a prisoner (details supplied) in Portlaoise prison whose 18 month old child is an albino with only nine per cent vision.
Written Answers. - Portlaoise Prison Visits.
505.
Limerick East): An application on behalf of the family of the prisoner in question for special arrangements for a visit to the prisoner by his child has been received by the governor. The application is being considered at present and a decision will be made as soon as possible.
506.
asked the Minister for Justice if any relaxation of restrictions on persons visiting prisoners in Portlaoise prison has been recently introduced; and the precise details of the new arrangements.
, Limerick East): Visiting arrangements at Portlaoise prison are kept under regular review. Recently, with my authority, the Governor of Portlaoise prison told the prisoners that the following visiting arrangements could be introduced:
(a) Each prisoner could be allowed nine open visits per year of one hour duration increasing to one each month after a period of 12 months if the system of open visits has worked satisfactorily until then.
(2) The prisoners themselves would have to regulate the timing of the visits so as to ensure that not more than three open visits would take place on any forenoon and three in the afternoon of each day Monday to Saturday inclusive.
(3) Open visits would take place with an ordinary table separating prisoners and visitors.
(4) A prisoner would be allowed take his child or children on his knee and embrace his wife or girlfriend.
(5) Prisoners would be subject to a rub down search before an open visit.
(6) Prisoners would be subject to a search after an open visit under the following conditions:
(a) The prisoner would enter a cubicle and, under the supervision of a prison officer, remove his clothing to his underpants. He would then hand out his clothing to the searching officer.
(b) The searching officer would then search each item of prisoner's clothing and put the clothing into a second cubicle.
(c) The prisoner, wearing only his underpants, would then walk from the first cubicle into the second cubicle and fully dress himself.
(7) Open visits would be supervised in the sight and hearing of a prison officer.
(8) Welfare visits would continue to be available in cases where there are particular domestic difficulties and the same searching procedures as is recommended for open visits apply.
The prisoners have indicated that they would co-operate with the above arrangements. The arrangements will be implemented as soon as the necessary facilities can be provided.