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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 24 May 2001

Vol. 537 No. 1

Written Answers. - Drugs in Prisons.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

184 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he will establish a custodial detention centre for convicted addicts and remand prisoners who are addicts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15406/01]

Emmet Stagg

Question:

185 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the prisons which are regarded as being drug free; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15407/01]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 184 and 185 together.

It is recognised that a significant percentage of persons committed to prisons, particularly in the Dublin area, are habitual drug abusers, many of whom actively seek to maintain their habit while in prison custody. The Prisons Service, with my full support, is resolutely committed to tackling this issue in a comprehensive and proactive manner. While there are no plans to establish a specific custodial detention centre solely for drug addicted prisoners, I am informed by the director general of the Prisons Service that expanding the range of measures available to address drug abuse among prisoners is receiving priority attention. This involves a twin track approach of supply and demand reduction. A number of technical and policy measures have been introduced in recent years to curtail the smuggling into and use of illegal drugs in the prison system. These include sophisticated video surveillance, improved visiting and searching facilities, increased vigilance by staff and urine testing. Efforts to eliminate the supply of drugs coming into our prisons are not enough on their own. The Prison Service will continue to seek to reduce demand for drugs within the prison system by the education, treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicted offenders.

At present there are two areas within the prison system which are geared specifically towards prisoners who wish to remain drug free. The drug free unit which is in operation at the training unit adjacent to Mountjoy Prison has accommodation for 96 prisoners. This unit enables prisoners who do not have a history of drug abuse and those who have demonstrated the desire to stop taking drugs to be detained in a drug free and secure environment. These prisoners take regular urinalysis tests to ensure that they are remaining drug free and those who fail in this regard are generally moved back into the general prison population.
A drug free area with a capacity for 76 inmates is currently operating in St. Patrick's Institution. The aim of this unit is to assist young offenders aged between 16 and 21 years of age, many of whom are serving their first custodial sentence, in combating their drug addiction. This is expected to reduce the risk of these prisoners reoffending in the future and increase their prospects of securing employment on release by remaining drug free.
At my request the director general of the Prisons Service established a national steering group for prison based drug treatment services with a view to implementing the action plan on drug misuse and drug treatment in the prison system which I approved in 1999. This plan provided a detailed strategy to raise the level of treatment of drug addicted offenders and included the expansion of detoxification facilities, drug free areas and the provision of methadone maintenance. The provision of drug free units or wings in existing prisons means that motivated prisoners will be offered the support and the opportunity to remain drug free during their time in prison and hopefully afterwards. Meeting these needs will require the identification and provision of suitable locations together with the availability of suitably trained staff to supervise and support the attendant regime.
A key element is the recruitment of a co-ordinator of drug treatment services in prisons. This post was advertised recently by the Eastern Regional Health Authority. The co-ordinator's responsibilities will include the co-ordination and management of the delivery of drug treatment services in prisons and places of detention located in the ERHA area as well as promoting best practice on throughcare in respect of drug dependent persons entering and leaving those institutions. While the filling of this position is a matter for the ERHA, I understand the process is now at interview stage and that every attempt will be made to fill the post at the earliest possible opportunity. Following consultation with the Department of Finance, I expect the Prisons Service and health boards to be very shortly in a position to commence the recruitment process for other drug treatment posts.
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