Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 January 2022
309. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice when the findings from the public consultation on the review of prison rules which ended in September 2021 will be published; the timeline for the next steps in the process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4089/22]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that work is continuing on the review of the Prison Rules 2007. The review is taking account of the updated European Prison Rules, which were published in 2020, and also considering changes within the Irish Prison Service, the prison system and also changes that have occurred within the wider criminal justice system over the past 15 years.
The public consultation phase of the review was completed in September 2021 and the submissions are currently being evaluated. It is intended to publish a summary of the submissions received under the public consultation phase once all submissions have been reviewed and considered.
The initial review phase will be completed by the end of Q1 2022 and this will include completing stakeholder engagement. The policy proposals needed to enable the relevant amendments to Prison Rules 2007 will be developed with a view to then drafting the Statutory Instrument needed to amend the Prison Rules.
