Vol. 523 No. 4
217 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has introduced risk assessment by health and safety officers for all maintenance work carried out in prisons following the recommendation by a jury at the Dublin City Coroner's Court when it returned a verdict of death by suicide (details supplied); if he will have a full investigation made into the circumstances of the death; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21343/00]
On 16 October 1999 an inmate of Mountjoy male prison was discovered by an officer hanging by a bed sheet from a beam in the toilet area of the B base. Prison staff immediately commenced CPR and did everything possible to revive him until the ambulance service arrived. He was taken to the Mater Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The deceased was on remand. He was due to appear in court on 22 October 1999.
In accordance with normal practice, the death was the subject of a Garda investigation and a public inquiry in the form of a coroner's inquest. The Garda concluded that they are satisfied that the death was not suspicious nor did they suspect any third party involvement. The circumstances of the death were also examined by the suicide awareness group in Mountjoy prison.
At the coroner's inquest the jury agreed a verdict of death by suicide caused by hanging. The jury made a recommendation that in future before maintenance work commenced in prisons a risk assessment should be carried out by a health and safety officer.
The requirements for the safe execution of works within prisons and places of detention are laid down by Statutory Instrument No. 138 of 1995, the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations and were implemented in all prisons and places of detention shortly after its introduction. Prior to any refurbishment or maintenance works being undertaken a health and safety plan is prepared which includes the identification of possible hazards.
The national steering group on deaths in custody is scheduled to meet on Thursday 12 October 2000. I have asked the group to consider the recommendation made in this particular case with a view to considering if further action may be required and to make recommendations to me in this regard.
In any event, all governors, health and safety personnel and the local suicide awareness groups in all prisons and places of detention will be made aware of the recommendation of the jury. I will also request the governors of all prisons and places of detention and all other relevant personnel in my Department to review the procedures in the light of the recommendation made.
