Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 1 May 1991

Vol. 407 No. 7

Written Answers. - Advisory Group on Prison Deaths.

Patrick McCartan

Question:

81 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline the conclusions of the advisory group on prison deaths established by him; the number of the conclusions which have been acted upon; the way in which they have been acted upon; if he intends to publish the report; and if so, when.

Minister for Justice (Mr. Burke)

I understand that the final report of the Advisory Group on Prison Deaths is nearing completion and when it is received it will be given urgent consideration. An announcement about implementation of the report will be made as soon as possible after it is received and I will indicate at the same time my decision about its publication.

The group has already made an interim report and I have accepted the recommendations in it, the most important of which is that medical orderlies should be on duty 24 hours a day in the closed prisons. The 43 additional medical orderly posts which are required to give this round-the-clock cover have been advertised and arrangements are being made for the implementation of the other interim recommendations, which include the setting up of a suicide prevention group in each prison, a review of procedures for identification of potential suicide risks and improving the speed of response to suicide attempts. I have previously outlined to the House the various practical measures that are being taken to reduce suicide risks in prisons, including strenuous efforts to identify offenders who may be at risk and, where such offenders are identified, their being given special preventive attention by prison staff.