Jonathan O'Brien
Question:427 Deputy Jonathan O’Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to encourage and facilitate meaningful family contact between women prisoners and their children. [35664/11]
View answerTuesday, 22 November 2011
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Written answers
I am informed by the Irish Prison Service that every effort is made to allow women prisoners to fulfil their role as mothers having due regard to the best interests of the child. Contact therefore between women prisoners and their children is fostered, encouraged and facilitated where possible by the Prison Service.
Prison visits involving children, subject to the maintenance of good order and safe and secure custody, allow for physical contact between the mother and her children. I am assured that every effort is made to allow mothers as much flexibility as is possible on visits with their children, women prisoners, are also facilitated, where appropriate, with temporary release to attend significant milestones in their children's lives eg first communion.