Vol. 467 No. 7
278 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Justice whether a detoxification unit will be introduced into Mountjoy Prison in July 1996; if so, if she will give the details of the unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14307/96]
The treatment facility for drug affected prisoners which is to be located at Mountjoy prison's health care unit will provide for the delivery of humane detoxification for drug addicted persons. The unit will commence operations this week. It will be staffed by personnel specially recruited for this project with experience in the field, including a general medical practitioner and qualified nurses. In addition, prison staff who have accumulated valuable experience in the field over many years, will of course, make a major contribution to the operation of this treatment facility.
Individual prisoners will, while undergoing treatment within the Unit, be carefully monitored by means of daily urine sampling in order to ensure their full compliance with the treatment regime.
Other services to be supplied within the treatment facility include, in respect of selected cases, and subject to strict criteria, such as sentence length, the provision of methadone maintenance. The most important aspect will, however, be the delivery of an integrated, structured, therapy programme specially designed in order to ensure the long-term recovery of drug addicted prisoners.
