Michael McDowell
Question:11 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for Justice the plans, if any, she has to appoint an independent inspector of prisons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12859/96]
Written Answers. - Inspector of Prisons.
The idea of appointing an inspector of prisons has been around for some time. A similar post has been in place in other countries for many years. In 1985 the Whitaker Committee, which prepared a comprehensive report on the whole penal system, recommended the appointment of an independent inspector of prisons. It was envisaged that the inspector would report, through the Secretary of the Department of Justice, to the Minister for Justice. The inspector would have extensive powers to examine all aspects of the work of the prison service, including the treatment of prisoners and conditions in prisons.
In the intervening years, the view was taken that there were more pressing issues to be addressed and that the appointment of an inspector was a longer-term issue. In more recent times, however, the Department of Justice has looked at inspection systems in neighbouring jurisdictions. In 1994 the Department in its five-year plan for the management of offenders accepted that, notwithstanding the existence of various other existing supervisory and control mechanisms, it was right in principle that an independent person should be appointed as inspector of prisons, with an appropriate level of authority and with the necessary access to institutions, offenders, staff and management alike to perform his or her task as envisaged by the Whitaker Committee.
The Minister intends to address the proposal in the context of the active review of the question of establishing a prison board which is currently under way in the Department of Justice. Deputies will be aware that this review was one of the specific commitments contained in the Programme for Government.