Vol. 413 No. 5
15 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline (a) the total number of suicides from 1987 to date and (b) the total which occurred in prison or in custody; if he intends taking any action to eliminate the causes in (b); and if he will make a statement on the matter.
37 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline the number of deaths of prisoners in custody since the beginning of the year; if he will further outline the plans he has for the implementation of the recommendations of the Report of the Advisory Committee on Prison Deaths; if any timetable has been set for the implementation of the recommendations; if any additional finance has been allocated for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
43 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline the progress being made on implementing the recommendations of the Report of the Advisory Committee on Prison Deaths; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
50 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline all actions being taken to prevent any further suicides in prisons or in Garda stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
126 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice the action he intends to take to reduce the number of suicides in Irish prisons; and if he will make a statement on the recent report which indicates a higher rate of suicides in Irish prisons compared to prisons in Britain.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 15, 37, 43, 50 and 126 together. I am informed by the Central Statistics Office that the total number of suicides in the State for the period from the beginning of 1987 to the end of second quarter of the year is provisionally estimated to have been 1,253. There have been 22 deaths in custody in prisons from the beginning of 1987 to date, of which five were due to natural causes.
Out of concern to ensure that everything possible is done to prevent further suicides in prisons, and recognising that the causes of suicide are varied and complex, I established in November 1989 an expert group to advise me on deaths in prison. The group comprised a wide range of disciplines, including medical, psychological, psychiatric and welfare, together with people who are involved in day-to-day management of prisons. As the Deputies will be aware, the group recently made their final report and it has been published. I have accepted the main thrust of the group's findings and future suicide prevention policy will be based on their recommendations.
The group made 57 recommendations in all. Four of the main recommendations which were contained in the group's interim report have either already been implemented or are in the course of implementation. These relate to the extension of medical orderly cover in the closed institutions on a round-the-clock basis, the setting up of a suicide review group in each prison, the review of special observation lists and the examination of the time taken to gain access to cells.
Twenty-six of the recommendations relate to practice and procedures in the prison system and they are accepted in principle. A programme for implementation of these recommendations as far as possible is being put in place. Three recommendations relating to training for staff in suicide prevention measures will be implemented on a phased basis.
The remaining recommendations, which relate to improvements in general facilities, to the provision of additional institutions, to changes in design and so on will be taken fully into account in the context of the overall development of the prison system and as resources allow.
While any suicide in our prisons is a matter for regret, we must be very careful to keep numbers in perspective. When the base number is very low in the first place an increase of even one from one year to the next can represent a large percentage increase. Comparisons with other administrations with a quite different size and composition of prisoner population are also hazardous. The important thing is to recognise that there is a problem as regards deaths in custody and to take measures to deal with it. That is what I am doing in accepting the main thrust of the group's report and I am satisfied that I am taking the correct course.
There have been eight deaths in Garda custody since the beginning of 1987. The Criminal Justice Act, 1984 (Treatment of Persons in Custody in Garda Síochána Stations) Regulations, 1987 contain detailed instructions in relation to the supervision of persons in Garda custody and the provision of medical assistance to prisoners who are intoxicated, or fail to respond normally to questions or conversation, or appear to be mentally ill. The Garda authorities are carrying out a review of all cell accommodation in Garda stations with a view to eliminating any features which prisoners could use to cause injury to themselves.
Does the Minister believe that the total number of suicides — even by modern standards — seems to be very high? Will he indicate how it compares with figures for similar population size in other countries? In relation to the changes proposed for those in custody in Garda stations or prisons, is the Minister satisfied that the changes he introduced — or will introduce — will be sufficient to ensure that the public concern which has been expressed regularly in that area will be alleviated so that families and relatives can be reasonably sure that the prisoners will not suffer or be in a situation in which they could commit suicide?
To try to come to grips with this problem I established the expert group in November 1989 with the wide range of disciplines which I outlined to the House. They have come forward with a report which I have accepted in principle and, as I said, many of their recommendations are already in place. It is a very important report and it should go as far as is humanly possible to prevent persons in prison or in Garda stations from injuring themselves even though, of course, it cannot be totally prevented. The 24-hour medical orderly will have a very important role within the prison system in the prevention of suicide.
What about a reply to my first question?
The question related to the overall number of suicides and how it compares with other countries. I could not comment on that now but if the Deputy tables a specific question, I will reply to it.
Does the Minister have the breakdown of male and female suicides?
I think there was just the one female suicide in the prison system——
I was seeking information in relation to the general figures.
No, I do not have that information. The main thrust of the question relates to the prison system for which I have responsibility. I will get the information and send it to the Deputy.
Will the Minister indicate whether any research has been carried out in relation to the fact that there seems to be a far higher incidence of males compared to females?
I will get whatever information is available and send it to the Deputy. I will send a copy to Deputy Durkan.
In regard to deaths in prisons, will the Minister accept that a number of the contributory factors are that many prisons are antiquated buildings which are grossly overcrowded and provide very little useful employment? In response to those considerations will the Minister accept the recommendations of the special committee that all prison cells and buildings should be brightened, that a new prison for women be provided and cells redesigned and restructured? Those three fundamental issues put a huge onus on the Minister to concentrate entirely on refurbishment rather than on building new institutions.
I accept that the old buildings are part of the problem. For example, people have committed suicide by hanging using the bars of the cells. With that in mind, in the new unit which has been developed in St. Patrick's Institution we have installed a new prototype window which was specifically designed to tackle that problem. The type of measures to which the Deputy referred, brightening and so on, including in-cell sanitation, have all been provided. As I said earlier, since 1987 we have spent £31 million of taxpayers' money on refurbishment and expansion of the prison system. In regard to the other measures to which the Deputy referred, Wheatfield Prison is an example of how bright colours help; the same will be done on a phased basis in the remainder of the prisons.
In relation to the 1,253 suicides to which the Minister referred, is it true that perhaps the numbers may be greater? Is the Minister sure as to the cause of death in each and every case?
I am informed by the Central Statistics Office that that is the total and it is the information I imparted to the House.
