Michael D. Higgins
Question:120 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the proposals, if any, he has to end the practice of slopping out in Irish prisons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15472/98]
Written Answers. - Prison Sanitation.
The elimination of the practice known as "slopping out" is a priority issue in the ongoing prisons building and refurbishment programme. The provision of in-cell sanitation is now accepted policy in all new prison accommodation. In addition, major progress has been made in the extension of integral sanitation to all existing prison accommodation. In recent years Arbour Hill Prison, St Patrick's Institution, Fort Mitchel, the Curragh prison and parts of Mountjoy prison have all been upgraded. It is intended to continue to afford this work the highest priority and to complete the programme as soon as possible subject to operational requirements. The availability of a significant number of new prison spaces which will be coming on stream over the next 18 months or so arising from the current prisons building programme will facilitate the acceleration of the refurbishment programme including the provision of integral sanitation in all of the prisons where this has not been achieved to date.