John Curran
Question:278 Mr. Curran asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the monthly bill for public phones used by prisoners in each prison for the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28826/03]
Written Answers. - Prison Telephone Bills.
The following is an estimate of the cost to the Irish Prison Service of telephone calls made by prisoners for the period November 2002 to October 2003, to the nearest €1,000 and excluding VAT. A significant proportion of these calls relate to contact with prisoners' legal advisors as they prepare to face upcoming criminal trials.
The importance of prisoners maintaining contact with family and friends in the community must also be taken into account. Telephone facilities for prisoners have been consistently recommended by experts as a measure to assist in rehabilitation and prevent suicide and self-injury generally. It is also important to note that one in five committals to prison in this jurisdiction is a foreign national whose personal contacts are largely maintained via international phone calls.
|
Prison |
November 2002 -October 2003 |
|
Mountjoy Prison (male) |
€59,000 |
|
Mountjoy Prison (female) |
€11,000 |
|
St. Patrick's Institution |
€25,000 |
|
Training Unit Place of Detention |
€11,000 |
|
Cloverhill Prison |
€102,000 |
|
Wheatfield Prison |
€84,000 |
|
Cork Prison |
€45,000 |
|
Limerick Prison |
€31,000 |
|
Fort Mitchel Place of Detention |
€18,000 |
|
Midlands Prison |
€110,000 |
|
Curragh Place of Detention |
€5,000 |
|
Portlaoise Prison |
€22,000 |
|
Castlerea Prison |
€19,000 |
|
Loughan House Place of Detention |
€6,000 |
|
Shelton Abbey Place of Detention |
€4,000 |
|
Arbour Hill Prison |
€6,000 |
|
Total estimated cost (excluding VAT) |
€558,000 |