Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 December 2012
474. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he is pressing for action, including prosecution if appropriate, against those officers responsible for the ill-treatment of young offenders detained in St. Patrick's Institution, as recently exposed by the Inspector of Prisons report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46760/12]
View answerAs I have previously informed the House, the type of abuse outlined by the Inspector of Prisons in his report on St. Patrick's Institution is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. The Deputy will be aware that following the publication of the Inspector's Report in October, I published the Irish Prison Service's Action plan for implementing the Inspector's recommendations.
A new prisoner complaints procedure was introduced with effect from the 1 November 2012. All complaints made by prisoners alleging serious ill treatment, use of excessive force, serious intimidation/discrimination or threats by a member of staff of the Irish Prison Service, are now investigated by an independent investigator. In addition, a number of the new investigators have been appointed to carry out an examination of historical complaints in St Patrick's Institution, including those referred to by the Inspector in his report. I can assure the Deputy that should breaches of discipline be found to have occurred, disciplinary action will be initiated under the Prison (Disciplinary Code for Officers) Rules, 1996.
