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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 15 Jun 1994

Vol. 443 No. 8

Written Answers. - Drug Abuse in Prisons

Ivor Callely

Question:

22 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice the progress that has been made to address the problem of drug abuse by certain prisoners; the consideration, if any, that has been given to the introduction of drug free units as modelled in other countries; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

I accept that, despite stringent precautions, there is significant drug abuse in some prisons. Steps which are being taken to keep drugs out of the prisons include a high level of staff vigilance, closed circuit video surveillance, screening of prisoners after visits and regular searches of the prisons.

Our prison system operates a humane and liberal regime for offenders including free association between prisoners and free and open contact on visits with families and friends. There is, therefore, a risk that some prisoner and visitors will abuse the system by passing illegal drugs on visits and that prisoners, will abuse free association by passing drugs to each other.

It would, of course, be possible to restrict the regim for prisoners in such a way as to virtually eliminate the problem. Such a regime, however, would have to involve severe restrictions on free association between prisoners, more frequent searches of cells and prisoners, including strip-searches, the searching of all visitors to prisons, the erection of barriers between prisoners and all visitors to prevent personal contact, even with children, and the introduction of more intrusive surveillance. As I have stated on previous occasions, I am not satisfied that I would be justified in introducing so restrictive and inhumane a regime which would punish the innocent as well as the guilty and could cause irreparable harm to relationships with families, including children.
The Advisory Committee on Communicable Diseases in Prison which reported to me in May 1993 made several recommendations concerning the question of drugs in prison and these recommendations are now being examined and, where possible, implemented by the steering committee which was set up following the report's publication.
I understand that drug-free units have been developed in the UK, Netherlands and Sweden. The Prison Medical Director and other senior officials visited drug-free units in the UK and the Netherlands recently to review their method of operation and to see how they might be adapted here. I will explore the issue in more detail when I have received their report.
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