Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 Feb 1997

Vol. 475 No. 4

Written Answers. - US Prison Conditions.

David Andrews

Question:

84 Mr. Andrews asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make inquiries of the Governor of the State of Utah in the United States of America in relation to the current reports of the imprisonment of a person (details supplied) who was given a conditional pardon and had his sentence for murder commuted on 19 February 1991; if he will further inquire regarding the reason for this individual's hunger and thirst strike; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5116/97]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

Ireland has consistently and strongly urged, in international fora, the abolition of the death penalty. The US Administration is well aware of our views on the subject. My Department has made inquiries of the authorities in Utah regarding the prisoner in question, who was convicted of a double homicide in 1979 and given the death sentence, which was commuted to life imprisonment in 1991. According to the information which we have received, the prisoner began a hunger and thirst strike on 7 February 1997 because of his dissatisfaction with certain prison conditions and with the suspension of privileges. He ended his fast on 19 February and we have been advised that he has not suffered any ill effects. The prison authorities have since reviewed the prison conditions in question and we understand that the granting of privileges is dependent on a prisoner's behaviour.