Written Answers - Conditions in Women's Prison.
Tony Gregory
Question:
35
Mr. Gregory
asked the
Minister for Justice,
in relation to the Women's Prison, Mountjoy, Dublin 7, if he will outline: (1) the number of prisoners at present, (2) their age groups, (3) the average length of sentences, (4) the types of offences, (5) degree of recidivism, (6) the number of prisoners who have children, (7) the facilities available to pregnant prisoners especially at the time when the baby is born in prison, (8) the medical facilities available to women prisoners inclusive of access to a woman doctor, (9) the proportion of prisioners with (a) a drug problem and (b) an alcohol problem, (10) the drug treatment facilities available, (11) the counselling available to HIV positive prisoners, (12) number of prisoners per cell, the number of hours that they are confined to their cell and lock up time, (13) if there are any occasions when male prison officers are used in the women's prison, (14) the education facilities available and the number of hours per day spent per prisoner on educational courses, and (15) if he has any plans to relocate these prisoners or redevelop the physical conditions.
The information sought by the Deputy is set out as follows (the figures relate to 12 November 1990):
1. 34 (27 sentenced and seven on remand).
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2. 17 years
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2
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18 to 21 years
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7
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22 to 30 years
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16
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31 to 40 years
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4
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41 to 50 years
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4
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Over 50 years
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1
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34
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3. Under 1 month
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1
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2-6 months
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10
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7-12 months
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6
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1-2 years
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5
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3-4 years
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3
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9 years
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1
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Life
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1
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4. Robbery/Larceny
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13
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Assault
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4
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Malicious damage
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3
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Burglary
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2
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Possession of drugs
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2
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Fraud
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1
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Receiving
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1
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Murder
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1
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5. The latest annual report on prisons and places of detention sets out at Table 10 the number of prisoners who have served sentences previously.
6. 17.
7. Pregnant prisoners are under the care of the prison doctor. When they reach an advanced stage of pregnancy they are usually transferred to a maternity hospital.
8. A lady doctor attends at the prison Monday to Friday and is on call at weekends. The prison medical orderly is on duty seven days per week and is on call at night. In addition prisoners have access to a dentist, psychiatric and psychological services.
9. 13 are believed to be drug abusers and two have serious alcohol problems.
10. Prisoners with drug problems have access to a range of services including medical, psychiatric, psychological and welfare. In addition representatives of community based agencies involved with the prevention of drug abuse visit the prison. Where it is considered appropriate arrangements are made for attendance at community based facilities such as Coolmine and Trinity Court.
11. The facilities described at 10 are available. HIV possitive prisoners attend hospital for tests/treatment as medically advised.
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Type of Cell
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No. of Cells
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No. Prisoners
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12. Single cells
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6
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6
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Double cells
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4
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5
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Triple cells
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8
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15
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Quadruple cells
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3
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8
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34
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Prisoners are confined to their cells between 7.45 p.m. and 8.00 a.m. and also at meal times.
13. Yes — on a daily basis. Male prison officers are part of the normal roster.
14. A wide range of educational facilities is provided including classes in literacy, numeracy, English, mathematics, German, word processing, typing, crafts, cookery, photography, music, drama, art, and yoga. Education is available five days per week from 9.30 — 12.30 and 2.30 — 4.15. In addition evening classes are available three days per week from 5.30-7.30. A total of 14 teachers are involved in the various subject areas.
15. Phased refurbishment of St. Patrick's Institution buildings — where the women's prison is contained — has commenced. When this refurbishment is complete there will be more single cell accommodation and better hygiene-sanitary facilities. Improved ancillary facilities — catering, education, work/training and recreation will be provided. In addition, the exercise and visiting areas will be upgraded.
Tony Gregory
Question:
36
Mr. Gregory
asked the
Minister for Justice
the number of female prisoners in custodial institutions within the State other than in Mountjoy Prison, Dublin 7; the names of the institutions concerned; the age groups of the prisoners; the length of sentences; and types of offences involved.
Apart from Mountjoy, the only institution in which female prisoners are accommodated is Limerick Prison. At present there are five female prisoners there aged between 18 and 26 years of age. Their sentences range from ten months to life for a range of offences including murder, possesson of firearms, robbery, larceny and stealing.
