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Prison Accommodation Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 February 2013

Wednesday, 6 February 2013

Questions (20)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Question:

20. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason there are only nine detoxification beds in a 4,500 bed prison system in view of the fact that 80% of persons there suffer from some form of drug problem and need services to help them detox and rehabilitate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5651/13]

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Written answers

I wish to inform the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service provides a comprehensive range of drug treatment services tiered to meet the needs of the prison population. The nine beds referred to by the Deputy are allocated specifically for the therapeutic Drug Treatment Programme (DTP) based in the Medical Unit, Mountjoy Prison. This programme is 8 weeks in duration and the model used is a collaborative one using prison based staff and the community/ voluntary sector. Its aim is to assist prisoners in achieving a drug free status. At present, any person entering prison giving a history of opioid use and testing positive is offered a medically assisted symptomatic detoxification if clinically indicated. Patients can, as part of the assessment process, discuss with healthcare staff other treatment options.

Drug rehabilitation programmes for prisoners involve a significant multidimensional input by a diverse range of general and specialist services provided both by the Irish Prison Service and visiting statutory and non-statutory organisations. Prisoners who on committal are engaged in an opioid substitution programme in the community will have their substitution treatment continued while in custody. Methadone substitution treatment is available in 9 of the 14 prisons (accommodating over 80% of the prison population). Drug Treatment Pharmacist services are available in Mountjoy, Dóchas, Midlands and Portlaoise Prisons. Pharmacists are responsible for all aspects of drug treatment (mainly methadone) dispensing, administration, recording, ordering, storage etc in those prisons, thus ensuring that drug treatment is provided on an equivalent basis to that available in the community while meeting all legal and professional requirements in those particular prisons.

The Health Service Executive provides consultant led in-reach addiction services to Cloverhill and Wheatfield Prisons. Merchants Quay Ireland provides a national addiction counselling service for prisoners with drug and alcohol problems in prisons and places of detention where prisoners require such a service (with the exception of Arbour Hill Prison). Drug Free Units currently operate in Mountjoy Prison, Wheatfield Prison, Cloverhill Prison and St. Patrick's Institution. As part of the Irish Prison Service Strategic Plan 2012- 2014 Drug Free Units will be established in all closed prisons. Mountjoy Prison currently has two addiction nurses assigned. A clinical addiction team comprising the Primary Care Addiction Specialist GP, Addiction Nurses, Chief Nurse Officers, Merchants Quay Ireland personnel and Addiction Pharmacists provide a comprehensive overview of addiction services, which has resulted in a more streamlined service, better assessment and through-care outcomes.

In line with Action 43 of the National Drug Strategy, the Irish Prison Service ensures the seamless transition of prisoners established on drug treatment into community drug treatment settings as agreed in the protocol developed with the Health Service Executive. If the prisoner is on a community programme prior to committal to prison, the maintenance programme is continued during the prison term. Prior to a patient being commenced on methadone maintenance in prison, a drug treatment place in the community must be secured to ensure continuation of treatment upon release.

The Irish Prison Service has conducted a review of its existing Drug Treatment programmes and proposals have been developed to reorient and extend the treatment options. Recent trends across prisons indicate a significant number of prisoners currently self-detoxing from methadone and a marked reduction in the average dose of methadone. The proposals which have been adopted by the Irish Prison Service and are currently being rolled out on a phased basis include:

- The establishment of a therapeutic Detoxification and Rehabilitation Treatment Programme (DRTP) with the allocation of 10 additional places from March 2013. The DRTP will also operate in the Medical Unit and will be in addition to the existing DTP which has 9 places;

- Circa 50 beds in the Medical Unit, Mountjoy Prison will be used exclusively for Drug Treatment Programmes including:

- The Drug Treatment Programme (DTP) – 8 week duration;

- Dextoxification & Rehabilitation Treatment Programme (DRTP) – 6 week duration,

- Slow Detoxification Programme – maximum duration 6 months,

- Stabilisation Programme – maximum duration 6 months'.

- The Training Unit and Shelton Abbey are being designated as suitable for prisoners on methadone maintenance treatment. Loughan House will be designated as a facility for the treatment of prisoners seeking to return to a drug free lifestyle.

The proposals set out above will provide an increased number of options for prisoners who demonstrate a commitment to addressing their substance misuse. Progression from these Programmes will include access to Drug Free Units, open prisons and ultimately the Community Return Scheme, subject to normal operational considerations.

The Deputy will note that the Irish Prison Service is adding to the range of programmes, support services and through-care options for prisoners demonstrating a commitment to addressing their substance misuse.

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