Vol. 565 No. 2
319 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason the legislation governing prisons has not been updated since 1947; the plans he has to update this legislation; if proposed changes are to be brought in line with European standards regarding prisons; the proposed changes involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10480/03]
The rules for the government of prisons 1947 provide a very detailed regulatory framework for every operational aspect of prison life and set out in considerable detail the full range of rights, duties and obligations for prisoners, prison staff and management. Draft new rules were prepared in my Department and transmitted to the Attorney General for legal drafting. The parliamentary counsel subsequently provided my Department and the Irish Prison Service, in August 2002, with a draft set of new rules in legal form. These draft rules have been the subject of detailed and extensive consultation with senior staff throughout the prison system. The observations of the Irish Prison Service on the initial 60 rules were received in my Department recently and I have been advised that comments on the balance of the rules will be provided by the service within the coming weeks.
