Liz O'Donnell
Question:181 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Justice the ratio of prison warders to prisoners in each of the jails in the State. [2187/94]
Written Answers. - Prison Warders.
The ratio of prison officers to prisoners over the entire prison system is roughly 1:1. For reasons of security, the disclosure of the breakdown of this figure by individual prison would not be in the public interest.
While the ratio is high by international standards, it must be borne in mind that Irish prisons are small and, therefore, the economies of scale that apply in large institutions abroad would not apply here. Most of the prison buildings are old and do not easily allow for the installation of modern surveillance and automated security systems and so substantive manpower is needed. Prison regimes in Ireland are also relatively liberal and the ratio of officers to prisoners permits greater periods of unlock for prisoners who can therefore participate in more recreational and educational activities than would normally be available internationally.
Liz O'Donnell
Question:182 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Justice the number of members of the Garda Síochána who are employed on Border duties at the present time. [2188/94]
It has never been the practice to disclose details of the number of gardaí involved in Border security. However, I can assure the House that the numbers involved are being kept under continuing review by the Garda authorities having regard to developments in the security situation.