Written Answers. - Prison Drugs Problem.
Eric J. Byrne
Question:
53
Mr. E. Byrne
asked the
Minister for Justice
the number of occasions on which drugs were discovered in Mountjoy prison, Dublin 7, in each of the years from 1990 to 1996; the number of prisoners currently accommodated in the drugs-free unit; the proposals, if any, she has for further measures to deal with the problem of drugs in prisons in general and in Mountjoy prison in particular; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[2178/97]
Records in respect of discoveries of drugs at Mountjoy prison are not maintained in such a manner as to readily identify every such incident during the period as requested by the Deputy. It is, for example, not unusual for individuals upon challenge to swallow articles, the identification of which must remain a matter of conjecture.
I can, however, inform the Deputy that in respect of Mountjoy prison the number of incidents involving illegal drugs and drugs paraphernalia which resulted in formal prison disciplinary proceedings against prisoners in the periods stated was as follows: 1990, 101; 1991, 74; 1992, 154; 1993, 161; 1994, 172; 1995, 392; 1996, 423.
The Deputy will note the striking increase in the rate of detections since 1995 when I approved a number of preventative and detection measures concentrated on the main visiting area in the prison. These measures have proved particularly effective in preventing the smuggling of drugs and drugs paraphernalia to prisoners. The figures above represent a more than doubling of the previous rate of detection. The steps to which I am referring — improved video surveillance technology, a new search room, adapted visiting arrangements — are working and the figures quoted above provide evidence of this. It is important to bear in mind that there are real difficulties in this area. For example, the concealment of articles within bodily orifices is known to be used by some individuals in order to avoid detection. Internal searching of the type required to counter this practice is not carried out in this jurisdiction for reasons of bodily integrity and the obvious problems posed by the imposition of such a procedure. As in any search procedure in the prisons, it could be expected that many of those who would be subjected to this form of searching would be innocent of any involvement with drugs.
The most effective strategy for tackling this problem, of course, is prevention through education and the rehabilitation of those already addicted. There are now specially designed drugs education programmes in place in all of our prisons. A range of other initiatives with offenders in custody have been promoted by me over the past two years. These include the drug-free regime in the training unit where 77 inmates are now accommodated and the drug treatment facility which is based at the Mountjoy Prison's Health Care Unit.
Both of these initiatives were put in place during 1996 and are working well. The Mountjoy treatment unit is providing prisoners who in many cases have a history of chronic drug dependency with an opportunity to avail of the most modern treatment and therapeutic methods while serving their sentences. Those who have completed their treatment programmes will continue to be monitored and provided with support and assistance both within prison and, crucially, following their release back into the community. As with all such programmes it is important to note that treatment is voluntary and dependent in every case on the will of the individual.
