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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Mar 1999

Vol. 502 No. 3

Written Answers. - Prison Medical Services.

Liz McManus

Question:

530 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of prisoners in Mountjoy Prison who received hepatitis B vaccination in 1998; and the cost involved. [7952/99]

Liz McManus

Question:

534 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the prison medical policy with regard to the hepatitis A and B vaccination; and if this is offered to all new prisoners or at risk prisoners who are or were drug abusers in view of the prevalence of drugs in prison. [8000/99]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 530 and 534 together.

As part of my Department's strategy to safeguard and promote health it has been policy for some time to offer vaccination to any prisoner who would reasonably be expected to spend at least six months in prison. Six months represents the time required to provide the standard three dose vaccination regime. Vaccination has not been recommended for prisoners expected to spend only a short period in custody as failure to complete the vaccination schedule may prevent the development of any immunity or result in only partial, brief immunity.

In total 1,387 prisoners received hepatitis B vaccinations, either in full or in part, in 1998. The total cost of administering the vaccine in 1998 was £57,569.92 which covered the cost of purchasing the vaccine, doctors' administration fees and the salaries of prison staff involved.

Hepatitis A vaccination has not, to date, been offered to prisoners. However, in view of the emerging medical advice, that individuals who are hepatitis C positive should be offered hepatitis A vaccination, a review of this situation is taking place at present.

John Gormley

Question:

531 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if sterilised needles and condoms will be made available to prisoners in Irish jails on health grounds following a report by the Director of Prison Medical Services published by the Irish Penal Reform Trust; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7988/99]

John Gormley

Question:

532 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that his Department's policy document entitled Agreed Medical Policy on Substance Misuse within the Prison System, which states that prisoners sharing needles should have access to sterilising tablets and condoms, was faxed to a magazine (details supplied). [7989/99]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 531 and 532 together.

I confirm that a medical policy document on substance abuse within the prison system has been agreed between my Department and the Eastern Health Board.

I should also explain, for the sake of completeness, that this document will form part of a comprehensive Action Plan on Drug Misuse and Drug Treatment in the Prison System. The action plan, which has not been finalised, sets the broad policy context within which the issue of drugs in prisons will be dealt with. It is important, in dealing with the questions raised by the Deputy, to quote the opening paragraph of this overall action plan which states:

It is the absolute policy of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform to take all reasonable measures that may be required to prevent drugs getting into prisons. The Department recognises however, that in line with world-wide experience, despite best endeavours and applying best operational practice, some contraband may, from time to time, be brought inside. It may not be possible, within any set of arrangements that can be defended on human rights grounds, to detect all attempts to get contraband through prison controls. That being the case, it is clearly incumbent on the Department, to have in place an Action Plan which draws on the best medical advice available in this area and which addresses the health-care and other issues that are associated with the misuse of drugs in prisons. The Department considers it important to emphasise that the existence of the Action Plan does not in any way signal any tolerance or acceptance of the presence or misuse of drugs in prisons, nor does it signal any dilution in the basic policy of prevention. It represents a measured and responsible response to the reality that contraband sometimes gets through – and nothing more than that.

As to the more narrowly-focused medical policy document, which will form part of the overall action plan, I confirm that a copy of this document was recently faxed to a medical journal by the press office of my Department. The document, which reflects the need to provide treatment to prisoners equivalent to that available in the community, is available on request under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act, 1997.

With regard to the specific, medically-advised safety measures mentioned by the Deputy re the issue of condoms and sterilising tablets, I confirm that these are, not surprisingly, referred to in the medical document. In the interests of public health, it has been the practice for many years to give condoms to male prisoners leaving prison – for example, those leaving prison on temporary release. Disinfectants and other sterilising agents have also been available in the prisons for various hygiene related reasons for years.

Finally, for the avoidance of any doubt or confusion on the matter, no decision has been made, or is likely to be made in the near future, on the provision of sterile needles and condoms to serving prisoners.
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