Vol. 534 No. 5
61 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has received the final report into the circumstances of the recent escape from custody during an outside visit by a prisoner serving a nine year sentence for rape; the reason no announcement or warning was issued to the public on the escape of a potentially dangerous prisoner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10996/01]
I can confirm that I have recently received final reports from the Director General of the Prisons Service and the Governor of Arbour Hill Prison. The findings of both reports are currently under consideration.
As I have already stated in the House, the prison authorities informed the Garda of the escape at the earliest possible opportunity. In addition all relevant information in relation to the prisoner, i.e., a recent photograph, last known address, next of kin, name of victim, etc. was also passed to the Garda.
Whenever an escape occurs, an appropriate response is put in place by the Garda Síochána. It is, as I have indicated in the House before, an operational matter for the Garda Authorities to consider whether the public is considered to be at risk and what is the best strategy to pursue in returning the prisoner to custody.
Following a number of escapes earlier this year the Director General of the Prisons Service set up an expert review group to examine the circumstances of each escape and to review escorting procedures and the equipment used in such escorts. The areas examined include transport arrangements, staff training, the profiling of prisoners, searching procedures, the use of handcuffs and batons and the situation in relation to keyholders. This group, whose members include the head of operations in the Irish Prison Service and two senior prison governors, have now reported to the Director General and new guidelines will shortly issue to all prison governors. The review group is of the view that escort procedures, including the elements of equipment in use, techniques for equipment use, searching procedures and training provided, taken together and correctly applied, will allow prison officers achieve optimum levels of security on escorts. Some refinements in these elements have been identified which will further enhance escort security and recommendations have been made in this regard which will be implemented immediately. In view of the obvious security implications, I am not in a position to comment in any detail on these enhancements. The review group will continue to examine other issues which require longer term actions which may involve other agencies, including the Courts Service and the Garda Síochána.
Question No. 62 answered with Question No. 25.
