Vol. 442 No. 1
19 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the proposals, if any, she has to improve the prison medical service, with particular reference to supervision of early release prisoners who are also drug abusers; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
All offenders, including those who are found to be drug abusers, have access to a full range of medical and psychiatric services within the prison system and they attend at outside hospitals as required. A number of community-based agencies involved with the treatment of drug addiction problems also regularly visit the prisons to counsel offenders. Where such offenders show the necessary commitment to rehabilitation, and do not appear to pose a threat to the community, they may be considered for early release to enable them to attend community-based drug treatment centres, and where appropriate they are supervised by the probation and welfare service.
The director of prison medical services advises on improvements and changes in medical services to prisoners on an ongoing basis. In my policy document/ five year plan for prisons, which I intend to publish shortly, I will be setting out my proposals for significant changes in these services during the life time of the plan.
