Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 May 2020
371. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps taken to ensure in the absence of visits to prisons due to the Covid-19 pandemic that prisoners have continued access to their families by way of phone and video calls; if the enhanced facilities have been extended to all prisoners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8133/20]
View answerI have previously set out the wide range of measures adopted by the Irish Prison Service, to address the risk presented by Covid-19 in a prison environment. The measures adopted have been guided by the advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), and consistent with the prison specific guidance for the management of Covid-19 issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) and guidance of the Council of Europe.
I understand that the Irish Prison Service is acutely aware of the supportive role that families and friends play in prisoners’ efforts to rehabilitate themselves while in prison and in their preparation for life in the community after release from prison. I am advised that every effort was made to continue to facilitate physical family visits for as long as it was safe to do so and that physical visits were only ceased following the Government announcement in March, preventing all non-essential travel.
As I have previously set out, in recognition of the impact of visitor restrictions on prisoners, the Irish Prison Service introduced a number of initiatives to allow families to continue to communicate and support those in custody including through:
- The provision of additional phone calls for prisoners;
- The introduction of virtual visits, through the installation of video phone facilities in all prisons to allow for video-calls with families; and
- The introduction of Electronic Funds Transfer and An Post Bill Pay service to allow families to continue to lodge money to prisoner accounts.
I understand that the introduction of the new video visits system has allowed prisoners to continue to maintain important communication with their families. I am informed that to date feedback from prisoners and families that have used the system successfully has been very positive. I am also informed that, as with any new system and process, and especially one that is implemented within a very short time frame, there have been a number of challenges and technical issues with some calls but that the Prison Service continues to work on any issues to solve them. I understand that there have been particular difficulties in recent days, following a video phone software update which resulted in system crashes on a number of occasions in the past week. Resolution of this IT difficulty required temporary suspension of visits for a short time, but I understand that the system has now been restored. It is also the case that some issues may arise due to factors outside the control of the Irish Prison Service, which may include for example poor broadband coverage impacting connectivity for some visitors.
The Deputy may wish to note that useful “how to” guides are published on the Irish Prison Service website at www.irishprisons.ie for the information of people using the remote visit facilities. In addition, I understand that the Irish Prison Service has set up a dedicated helpline for the families of prisoners who may experience difficulty in connecting to a scheduled video call.
I am informed by the Irish Prison Service that where a scheduled video-call does not take place due to a technical problem, every effort is made to ensure that the prisoner is provided with the opportunity to have a normal phone call with their family member instead.
I am further informed that all new initiatives introduced have been risk assessed, to ensure there are measures in place to prevent the virus from spreading through prisoners sharing handsets or other equipment, and to ensure the maintenance of good order and security.
In the absence of direct contact from people in the outside community, I understand that the Irish Prison Service is at the same time taking steps to maintain good communication with prisoners and staff; and to allow prisoners to maintain human contact during these difficult times. I am informed that the Irish Prison Service has set up a dedicated team to co-ordinate the communication of information about the pandemic and its impact to prisoners.
I understand that two prisoner newsletters are published weekly, on a collaborative basis between the IPS, the Education and Training Board and the Irish Red Cross. Tailored regular communications with regular Covid-19 information leaflets for prisoners (developed by the prison Red Cross Prisoner Volunteers) and Covid-19 information newsletters for staff are being distributed to raise awareness of the particular risks the virus poses in a prison environment and to provide accessible updates on the necessary actions being taken. There is also a special newsletter for prisoners who are in quarantine or cocooning with tailored messaging for them. Prisoners who are in quarantine or cocooning can use the prisoner phone system to access prisoner services from Psychology, Chaplaincy, resettlement or Merchants Quay.
I understand that this system is being reviewed to ensure that it meets requirements and to assess if the service can be improved further. Further and in general, I understand that the Irish Prison Service continues to manage the risks and challenges faced in a prison context during the Covid-19 pandemic in line with public health guidelines. In doing so, it maintains a close working relationship with my Department, relevant criminal justice authorities, the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) and the Health Service Executive (HSE).
