Vol. 563 No. 4
548 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of times in the past five years that prison visiting committees have formally raised issues with his Department regarding the selection of library books, the quality and standard of meals and the organisation of lectures and addresses to prisoners. [7901/03]
I wish to advise the House that none of the prison visiting committees have formally raised the specific issues referred to by the Deputy with me, my predecessor or my Department over the past five years. The visiting committees, however, from time to time, bring to attention matters which they feel should be highlighted. This is normally achieved through direct contact with the governor of the institution to which they are appointed or through their annual report.
549 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of times in the past five years that his Department has asked prison visiting committees to use their power to hold sworn inquiries into disciplinary matters involving prisoners; and the number of times prison visiting committees have used their power to grant prisoners special privileges or impose punishments. [7902/03]
As I previously explained to the House, a visiting committee is appointed to each prison under the Prisons (Visiting Committees) Act 1925 and Prisons (Visiting Committees) Order 1925. Section (3)(3) of the above Act which provided for the powers referred to by the Deputy was repealed by section 19(5) of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1997.
It is the normal practice of the visiting committees to raise all matters brought to their attention with the governor of the institution to which they have been appointed. In the vast majority of cases, the committee can satisfy itself in this manner that either the complaint is not justified or that the governor will take appropriate action to resolve the situation.
On occasion, prison visiting committees have requested the local prison authorities to grant special privileges to prisoners, such as an extra telephone call or extra time on a visit, which the authorities are normally able to facilitate.
550 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the names of people he has nominated to prison visiting committees since his appointment; the prison to which they have been assigned; their county of residence; and if they are former or current public representatives. [7903/03]
The persons appointed to the prison visiting committees since June 2002, whom I nominated, are as follows:
|
Prison |
Name |
County of Residence |
|
Arbour Hill Prison |
Jim Hanrahan |
Co. Dublin |
|
Curragh Place of Detention |
Maureen Hyland |
Co. Dublin |
|
Loughan House |
Martin Doonan |
Co. Sligo |
|
Training Unit |
Geraldine Foster |
Co. Dublin |
|
Training Unit |
Mary Kelly |
Co. Dublin |
