Jim O'Keeffe
Question:132 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number and role of the staff available to the Inspector of Prisons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3102/03]
Written Answers. - Inspector of Prisons.
The Inspector of Prisons and Places of Detention, Judge Dermot Kinlen, was appointed in April last year. The inspector has the following terms of reference: (a) inspect and report, as the inspector considers appropriate, to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on prisons and other places of detention managed on behalf of the Department by the Irish Prison Service; (b) report in particular on conditions in those institutions and on the regimes in place for prisoners and detainees; (c) investigate and report on any specific issue referred to the inspectorate by the Minister; and (d) submit to the Minister an annual report on the activities of the inspectorate.
The inspector of Prisons and Places of Detention has a staff of three persons assigned to his office. This consists of a special adviser, an executive officer and a personal assistant. The special adviser is a retired prison governor who reports directly to the inspector. He accompanies the inspector on inspection visits to prisons and places of detention operated by the Irish Prison Service. He assists in any work arising from the functions of the inspectorate and he also assists the inspector in preparing the annual report to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The executive officer provides administrative and secretarial support to the inspector's office. The duties of the personal assistant to the inspector are similar to his previous duties as a tipstaff to a High Court judge and include driving the inspector's car and liaising with the other members of the inspector's staff in assisting the inspector to perform the functions of his office. I understand that the inspector also proposes to avail of the services of a number of experts in a range of fields to assist him in fulfilling his duties, as and when he believes it necessary and appropriate.