Deaths in Prison

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 June 2015

Tuesday, 9 June 2015

Questions (575)

Anne Ferris

Question:

575. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to set out the cause of death determination process in use to record causes of death in prisons; the process involved in recording and conveying cause of death statistics from the prison service to the Central Statistics Office, including the timelines involved; if any recent review of the effectiveness of the process has been undertaken; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22122/15]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

The Irish Prison Service has advised that all deaths in custody are the subject of an internal investigation by the Prison Governor, a Garda investigation, and a Coroners inquest. In addition, all deaths in custody are also subject to an independent investigation by the Inspector of Prisons, which is published.

The Irish Prison Service has confirmed that the circumstances of each death in custody is subject to an internal investigation conducted by the Governor in charge of the institution concerned. The report of each investigation, which must be concluded within two months, is considered by the National Suicide and Harm Prevention Steering Group, which is chaired by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service.

The Irish Prison Service has also advised me that it does not convey cause of death statistics to the Central Statistics Office.