Austin Deasy
Question:137 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the present arrangements regarding prison visiting committees; and the plans he has to make any changes. [20878/00]
Written Answers. - Prison Visiting Committees.
A visiting committee is appointed to each prison under the Prisons (Visiting Committees) Act, 1925, and Prisons (Visiting Committees) Order, 1925.
The function of visiting committees is to visit at frequent intervals the prison which they are appointed to and hear any complaints which may be made to them by any prisoner. They report to me any abuses observed or found by them in the prison and any repairs which they think may be urgently needed. The visiting committee have free access either collectively or individually to every part of their prison. In inspecting prisons, the visiting committees focus on issues such as quality of accommodation, catering, medical, educational and welfare services and recreational facilities. The committees also submit annual reports to me which are subsequently published.
Members are appointed for a period of three years The maximum number that can be appointed for each institution is 12. Each committee elects their own chairperson. Persons wishing to serve on a visiting committee can make representation to nominate themselves or can be nominated by another person. No person can become a member of a visiting committee if they are in receipt of a salary paid out of the central fund other than a member of Dáil Éireann or Seanad Éireann. Members of visiting committees receive no remuneration. Travel and subsistence allowances are paid in line with Civil Service rates.
There are no specific criteria used in selecting individuals for appointment. The composition of each committee is drawn from as wide a spectrum as possible to ensure that the needs of prisoners are understood and met. This is the long standing practice used by successive Ministers in appointing members to the prisons visiting committees.
It was proposed in the Department's five year plan for the management of offenders that a permanent visiting committees chairpersons group be established. The purpose of this group would be to hold formalised meetings to discuss matters of general relevance to the operation of visiting committees and the treatment of prisoners in all of the institutions. The chairpersons group was established and its inaugural meeting was held on the 4 March 1998.
I am satisfied with the composition and proceedings of the visiting committees. They perform a very valuable service and I take this opportunity to thank them for their efforts and hard work.
As part of the establishment of the Prison Authority there are plans to create the post of inspector of prisons. The role of this inspector will be to report on all prisons and places of detention under the aegis of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, particularly on conditions in those institutions and on the treatment of the persons held in them. Obviously this role may duplicate some of the existing functions of the visiting committees. The respective functions of the independent prison inspectorate and the visiting committees will require careful definition.
In the context of the consolidation and modernisation of the prison rules generally, at present under way, the rules governing visiting committees will be revised and updated.